An opinion poll in Russia shows that the approval rating of President Vladimir Putin has surged above 80 percent after the country invaded Ukraine.

The independent polling firm Levada Center surveyed in person 1,632 people aged 18 and older from March 24 through March 30.

Eighty-three percent of them said they approve of Putin's actions and 15 percent said they don't.

As of last November, Putin's approval rating had dropped to 63 percent. It gradually rose after Russia deployed troops near the border with Ukraine.

The rating stood at 71 percent in February right before the invasion began.

The 12 percentage point surge for the past month put the figure above 80 percent for the first time in about four years.

Asked if they approve of Russia's military action in Ukraine, 81 percent of the respondents said they do so while 14 percent said they disapprove.

By age group, 64 percent of people aged 55 or older said they strongly approve, compared to only 29 percent of those aged 24 or younger.

The Levada Center says the result shows many people believe the propaganda created by the government.

The pollster adds that state-run television which disseminates the propaganda is the main source of information for people in rural areas and the elderly, while young people in urban areas obtain information on social media.

The Levada Center was designated as a foreign agent by the Putin administration in 2016.

Despite pressure from the government, the polling agency continues independent surveys and analysis.