Poll: Number of supporters of Ukraine's independence in eastern regions shrinks by almost 10%

The level of support for Ukraine's independence within two years grew in the country's western and central regions, but fell in the southern regions, the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia Ukraine newspaper has reported, referring to a survey conducted by the sociological service of the Razumkov Center and the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation.

The level of support for independence in Ukraine's western regions rose from 86% in 2010 to 93% in 2012, while that in the central regions grew from 54% to 77% respectively.

At the same time, 10% of residents of Donbas and Crimea support the secession of their regions from Ukraine. An outpouring of support for Ukraine's independence in the eastern regions was in August 2011 (57%) and then it decreased to 49% in 2012. However, the number of opponents to Ukraine's independence in this region is falling – from 34% in 2010 to 23% in 2012.

At the same time, support for independence in Ukraine's southern regions reached its highest level in 2010 when the figure was 65%, while 15% opposed the country's independence. However, the percentage of supporters of independence rose to 34% in 2011 and 36% in 2012, while the percentage of opponents was stable for two years – over 40%.