According to the latest poll by the polling agency VTSIOM, Russian opposition leaders and activists have become more recognizable by Russians. However, the number of those who treat opposition negatively has also grown, VTSIOM experts say.

According to the poll, the most famous opposition activist is Gennadiy Gudkov, a former parliament deputy for the "Just Russia" party who was deprived of his mandate last week. His recognition rate grew from 21% in February 2012 to 60% in September 2012.

Another opposition activist, anti-corruption fighter Alexey Navalny also became more recognizable, the poll shows. In February 2012 some 29% of Russians were aware of Navalny, while in September this number grew to 48%. Other opposition activists such as Sergey Udaltsov, Evgenia Chirikova and Ilya Ponomarev have also become more famous among Russians.

Along with the increased fame, many Russians have started to dislike the opposition activists.

For example, the number of Russians who treat Navalny negatively, has grown from 31% to 43%, the same for Gennadiy Gudkov who went from 29% to 43%.
VTSIOM questioned some 1600 people from 138 cities and towns in Russia.

Valeriy Fedorov, the head of VTSIOM, explained the new trends as people becoming tired of politics and protest rallies.

"We watched people go out to the streets and protest in December 2011 because it was all new for them. But as the rallies have become more routine and common, this effect is lost," Fedorov said.
As the tiredness from politics grows, people tend to seek negative things in the opposition and its leaders, he added.