Exhausted but resilient: what a new survey of Ukrainians revealed in the fourth year of the full-scale war
Ukrainian society, which has been living under the conditions of a full-scale Russian invasion for the fourth year, remains emotionally exhausted, but at the same time demonstrates impressive internal resilience, a high level of trust in the army, intransigence to concessions by the Russian Federation, and a strong commitment to democracy even in war. This is evidenced by the results of a new sociological study research, held by the Razumkov Center together with the Kyiv Security Forum specifically for the 17th annual forum, which this year is being held under the slogan: “UA: Let’s unite again to defeat the global aggressor.”
The survey was conducted between April 24 and May 4, 2025. 2021 respondents aged 18 and over were interviewed by the face-to-face method. The geography covered 23 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv, with the exception of the combat zone: in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Kherson regions, respondents were interviewed only in the territories under the control of the government of Ukraine and where active hostilities are not taking place. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.3%.
The results of the study showed: 30% of Ukrainians admit that they are in a depressed state, but at the same time, 88.1% of them trust the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 61.2% consider democracy the most desirable form of government even during war, 60.6% believe in the possibility of a military victory over Russia, and the vast majority are not ready for any compromises with Russia – neither with regard to territories nor with abandoning the course towards NATO and the EU.
During the presentation of the results of the survey, the expert of the Kyiv Security Forum Viktoriya Holovach emphasized:
“This is not just sociology, this is the voice of our nation. These numbers reflect the internal state of every Ukrainian. Three key takeaways I want to share with you now. First: despite fatigue, Ukrainian society demonstrates resilience. Yes, we are exhausted, but our spirit is not defeated. Second: belief in victory remains high, despite all challenges and trials. And the third. Our supports are not changeable – they are the army, allies and victory. This is what supports us and gives us the strength to move forward.”
President of the Razumkov Center Yuriy Yakymenko, commenting on the data of the study, emphasized that the results are “a cross-section of the psychological state of Ukrainians after more than a thousand days of full-scale war”, and at the same time – “their ideas about themselves, about the country, peace, friends and enemies, about the present and future of Ukraine.” He emphasized:
“It is not surprising that in such conditions, in conditions of uncertainty and anxiety, people trust their defenders the most – the Armed Forces (88.1%), who are the undisputed leader of public trust. As well as other structures of the security sector, the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Also among them is the President of Ukraine, who is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In addition, for Ukrainians, democracy is the greatest value, the most desired type of state system, even in war conditions (61.2%).
Special attention was paid in the survey to the issue of Ukrainians’ vision of ways to peace. According to the results, the majority of respondents want the end of the war, but only on terms that do not include any concessions to the aggressor. As stated in the analytical report, “the complete liberation of Ukraine from Russian troops as a condition for peace – this demand is put forward by the largest part of citizens.” The absolute majority of those interviewed are not ready to give up either the territories or the strategic pro-Western course. Among the “red lines” defined by society are refusal of membership in NATO, reduction of the number of the Armed Forces, any scenarios of freezing the war at the expense of Ukrainian interests.
In addition, the answer to the question about the role of international support was significant. More than three quarters of respondents — 77.4% — said that Ukraine’s victory would be possible if the partners provided the necessary amount of weapons or even supported with human resources. This point captures public awareness of the deep dependence of the outcome of the war on international solidarity and concrete aid.
As a result, the results of the survey testify: Ukrainian society is in a state of extreme psychological tension and, at the same time, of extreme consciousness, responsibility, and sobriety. Ukrainians do not lose faith in the army and are not ready for any concessions from the Russian Federation. Fatigue did not destroy dignity. And this is the main moral advantage of Ukrainian society in the war for survival and freedom.
