Separatist republics losing popularity in Russia, poll shows

Radical ideas regarding Donbas have been losing popularity in Russia in the past 18 months: the percentage of those who believe that Russia should recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics has dipped from 29% in January 2015 to 23% now, the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM) said.