The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Despite massive Russian shelling and problems with electricity and heating supplies, Ukrainian citizens remain ready to continue resisting the Russian invaders.
This is evidenced by a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
A separate part of the study focuses on assessments of the war’s duration and the population’s resilience, particularly under adverse weather conditions and significant damage to the energy system inflicted by Russia.
Ukrainians are prepared for a long fight
The majority of Ukrainians — 65% — say they are ready to endure the war for as long as necessary. A shorter endurance horizon (half a year or a few months) was mentioned by 17% of respondents.
Across the adult population, only 5% indicated they were not ready to endure the war for as long as needed, linking their stance to problems with electricity and/or heating.
Only 20% of Ukrainians believe the war may end in the coming weeks or at least in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, 18% expect it to end in the second half of 2026, 43% in 2027 or later, and 19% found it difficult to answer.
Despite Russia’s extensive attempts to cause a humanitarian catastrophe, most Ukrainians remain determined to continue resisting until a result acceptable to the country is achieved.
In all regions, a majority — between 58% and 72% — declare readiness to endure the war for as long as necessary. Specifically, 72% in Kyiv, 66% in the West, 64% in the Center/North (excluding Kyiv), 64% in the South, and 58% in the East.
Optimism about Ukraine’s future
Despite a difficult winter and Russia’s terrorist actions, as of late January 2026, 66% of respondents remained optimistic, believing that in 10 years Ukraine will be a prosperous EU member state.
Pessimism was expressed by 22%.
Compared with December 2025, no significant changes were recorded, indicating no rise in pessimism even under difficult circumstances.
As of late January 2026, Russia’s massive strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and attempts to plunge the country into darkness and cold had no significant impact on public sentiment.
“We are not recording increased support for the idea of ‘peace on any terms’ (including in the capital, which was among the main targets in January). On the contrary, the majority of the population maintains the will to continue resisting and supports strikes on Russia”, — said a KIIS expert commenting on the findings.
