85 percent of Russians back Putin government: Survey

Eighty-six percent of Russians support the administration under President Vladimir Putin, according to a survey released on Thursday by the Levada Centre, an independent Russian polling and sociological research organisation.

The survey also found that only 13 percent of respondents disapprove of the current government, Efe news agency reported.

With 62 percent voting for him, Putin also topped the list of the most reliable politicians in the survey which was conducted between May 22 and 25 in 46 of the 85 entities of the Russian Federation.

The president's approval rating remained unchanged compared to findings of a similar survey carried out late in April.

Meanwhile, support for Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, was 63 percent -- 1 percent lower than previously recorded.

In the time between the two surveys, respondents who disapproved of the premier increased from 34 percent to 37 percent.

However, the list of the most trusted politicians included Medvedev, in third place with 21 percent, after Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, with 29 percent.