Poll: 47 percent of Russians have favorable view of Putin

MOSCOW, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- President Vladimir Putin's popularity is at a record low, with fewer than half of Russians viewing him positively, a poll indicates.

The Levada Center, an independent polling organization, said Friday 47 percent of respondents described their opinion of the president as "largely positive," RIA Novosti reported. A similar poll in 2008 found 80 percent of Russians said their view of Putin was "largely positive."

The percentage of Russians seeing Putin in negative terms has almost tripled since 2008 -- from 10 percent to 27 percent. The share who said they support Putin's actions dropped from 77 percent to 44 percent.

Levada has been conducting polls on Putin since 2001, through his first two terms as president, his interval as prime minister and his second presidency. His popularity is currently at a low point.

On the other hand, almost half of Russians said they still trust Putin, with another 8 percent saying they have "absolute trust."

For better or worse, Russians tend to see Putin as a powerful figure, the poll found.

More than half of respondents, 56 percent, said Putin was responsible for Russia's recent economic, social and international achievements -- but 58 percent blamed Putin for Russia's problems.