Almost half (49%) of Russians believe that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states. They also believe that Transnistria must formally have the status of independent country. This is what emerges from a survey conducted by the Levada Centre from August 21 to 24 on a representative sample of 800 people in 134 municipalities in 36 regions of Russia. However 10% of respondents believe that South Ossetia should be part of Georgia.