77% of Ukrainians Back Armed Resistance Despite Winter Energy Threat

Ukraine should keep fighting Russia even if Moscow destroys the country's energy grid this winter — that is the firmly held view of 77% of Ukrainians, according to a new survey published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).

The poll was conducted between August 21 and September 10, 2026, via telephone interviews with 1,003 respondents aged 18 and older living in government-controlled regions of Ukraine. The formal margin of error does not exceed 4.1% for indicators near 50%, though researchers note that wartime conditions introduce additional systematic deviation.

Only 12% of respondents said Ukraine should accept any Russian demands in such a scenario, even if those demands amount to capitulation. A further 11% said they were unable to decide.

Regional Breakdown

Support for continuing the fight is a majority position in every region surveyed. Kyiv recorded the highest rate at 83%, while the East registered 68% — the lowest figure, yet still a clear majority. Sociologists noted that Kyiv sitting at the top is striking: despite persistent Russian missile and drone strikes on the capital, public resolve has not weakened.

The findings suggest that intensified Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure have failed to break Ukrainian willingness to resist. On the contrary, the data points to a hardening of public sentiment across the country.

This survey comes amid ongoing discussions about a potential ceasefire and international pressure on Kyiv regarding negotiations. The results indicate that, whatever diplomatic developments occur, a large majority of Ukrainian society favors continuing armed resistance over accepting Russian terms.