KIIS poll: 63% of Ukrainians ready for a prolonged war, trust in Zelensky reaches 62%

New data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) records the resilience of public sentiment in the face of military challenges. The study, conducted from 16 to 25 October 2026, indicates that a significant portion of the population maintains readiness for a prolonged confrontation with Russia, despite attacks on infrastructure and international uncertainty.

Readiness for prolonged trials

The main finding of the poll is that 63% of respondents state their readiness to endure the war for as long as necessary. A further 5% of citizens assess their endurance as within one year. However, there is another part of society: 21% of those surveyed believe they can withstand such circumstances for a period ranging from a few months to half a year. 11% of study participants were unable to clearly determine their position.

KIIS experts note that compared to the previous stage of the poll, conducted from 8 to 16 October, no significant shifts in responses are observed. This confirms the stability of public consensus on the necessity of continuing resistance despite the difficult situation in the energy sector and external pressure.

Regional specifics of sentiment

An analysis of data by region revealed certain differences in attitudes towards the duration of the war:

• In Kyiv, the indicator of readiness for a prolonged confrontation is the highest — 76%.
• In the western and central directions, as well as in the northern regions, 64% of respondents share this position.
• In the Lower Dnipro region, the corresponding indicator stands at 62%.
• In the south of the country, 58% of residents are ready for a prolonged war.
• In the east, this indicator is lower — 48%.

Sociologists emphasise that the interpretation of these regional differences must take into account the statistical margin of error and the sample size in each specific region.

Dynamics of trust in the head of state

A separate block of the study is dedicated to the level of trust in President Volodymyr Zelensky. Overall, 62% of Ukrainians stated that they trust the head of state, while 35% expressed distrust. The trust balance stands at +27 percentage points.

Sociologists recorded a clear positive dynamic throughout October:

• 8–9 October: trust — 43%, distrust — 52%.
• 10–16 October: trust rose to 57%, distrust fell to 39%.
• 16–25 October: trust reached 62%, distrust decreased to 35%.

KIIS suggests that such dynamics may be partially explained by the effect of societal cohesion in the face of external pressure. At the same time, researchers do not rule out the influence of methodological factors on the difference between the results of individual poll waves.

Attitudes towards winter scenarios and energy strikes

Researchers also found out how Ukrainians view possible large-scale Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. 76% of citizens are convinced that even in the event of the enemy attempting to leave the population without electricity, heat, and sewage, Ukraine is obliged to continue armed resistance.

The opposite opinion is held by 15% of respondents, who believe that under such circumstances it would be worth agreeing to Russia's demands, even if this would effectively mean capitulation. A further 9% of poll participants did not determine their position.

Also, 80% of those surveyed support continuing strikes on Russian oil refineries, even in a scenario where the US threatens to limit or stop aid to Ukraine, and Russia does not take on reciprocal obligations. 11% of respondents expressed opposition to such actions.

Research methodology

The KIIS study was conducted via telephone interviews from 16 to 25 October 2026. The total sample comprised 828 adult citizens of Ukraine residing in government-controlled territory.

The sample did not include residents of temporarily occupied territories or Ukrainians who left the country after 24 February 2022. The formal statistical margin of error for indicators close to 50% does not exceed 4.4 percentage points. Sociologists warn of possible additional deviations characteristic of studies conducted under conditions of active hostilities.