The poll – which was conducted in December – exposed a massive spike in anti-LGBTQ attitudes in the country, with little distinction between generations when it comes to views on same-sex relationships. In Russia’s urban and rural areas, just 8% of the 1,600 people surveyed did not object to gay sex.

“Our reports confirms the fact the level of homophobia and level of violence against LGBT people is growing in Russia,” a spokesperson for the Russian LGBT Network told GSN.

“I do not believe that the Russian society is homophobic by its nature – it is exactly the work of the state-sponsored propaganda.” They added: “The Russian government is actively promoting the so-called ‘traditional values’ that presents homosexuality – and many other things – as alien for Russia.

“The same report of Levada Center shows that more people than before condemns sexual relations outside of marriage or abortions. All in all, this data is very frightening.”

A previous survey conducted back in 1998 found that 68% of Russians were against gay sex. The number grew to 76% in 2008. Read more via Gay Times