85 percent of Crimea residents to support joining Russia

SIMFEROPOL, March 12 (Itar-Tass) - Up to 85 percent of Crimea's population are expected to vote for joining Russia at the March 16 referendum, chairman of the autonomy's Supreme Council Vladimir Konstantinov said on Wednesday citing opinion poll results. "We have ratings in sociology and research showing that more than 80 percent support joining Russia. We hope that in three days, the figure will reach 85 percent," Konstantinov said, adding that the Crimean authorities would be working on it during the few days remaining before the plebiscite. According to the chairman, 93 percent of the population are categorically opposed to Crimea's remaining a Ukrainian region. Photo ITAR-TASS: 85 percent of Crimea residents to support joining Russia