---
title: "KIIS Poll: Over 60% of Ukrainians ready to endure war for as long as it takes"
description: "KIIS poll: About 62–63% of Ukrainians are ready to endure the war for as long as it takes, while only 10% expect it to end by the end of 2026. Sentiments remain stable compared to the previous measurement."
date: 2026-10-28T09:43:43.429Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kiis-poll-ukrainians-ready-to-endure-war
tags: [ukraine-war, kmis-poll, public-opinion, war-weariness]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# KIIS Poll: Over 60% of Ukrainians ready to endure war for as long as it takes

![Woman with a backpack waiting for a bus at a stop in Kyiv against the backdrop of golden church domes](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/kmis-opros-ukraintsy-gotovy-terpet-voynu-stolko-skolko-potrebuetsya/kmis-opros-ukraintsy-gotovy-terpet-voynu-stolko-skolko-potrebuetsya-1.webp)

## Key Points

- About 62–63% of Ukrainians are ready to endure the war for as long as needed, while another 21% expect a timeframe from several months to half a year.
- Only 10% of respondents expect the war to end by the end of 2026, and 56% expect it in the second half of 2027 or later.
- 61% of Ukrainians are categorically against ceding the Donbas in exchange for US and European security guarantees.
- 80% support continuing strikes on Russian refineries even if US aid is restricted, and 76% support winter resistance.
- Compared to the previous poll of October 8–16, no significant changes in sentiment were recorded.

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) has released the results of a new nationwide Omnibus survey conducted from October 8–16, 2026. The key finding of the study is that the overwhelming majority of Ukrainian citizens demonstrate a steadfast readiness to continue resistance and endure the war for as long as necessary. According to sociologists, nationwide indicators have remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous measurement, which, in the institute's assessment, indicates the stability of public sentiment against the backdrop of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure and international pressure.

### Readiness for Protracted Resistance

According to the survey results, about 62–63% of respondents stated they are ready to endure the war for as long as it takes. Another 4–5% estimated an acceptable period to be about one year, while 21% expect a shorter timeframe ranging from several months to half a year. The rest found it difficult to answer. Sociologists emphasize that compared to the previous poll conducted in mid-October, no significant shifts have been recorded: Ukrainians' readiness to continue resistance remains stable across all regions of the country, including Kyiv, where, despite constant pressure on residents, the overwhelming majority is also ready to endure the war for as long as necessary.

### Expectations Regarding War Timelines

A separate block of the study addressed forecasts concerning the end of the conflict. Only 10% of Ukrainians expect the war to end by the end of 2026. Another 13% hope for its conclusion in the first half of 2027. Meanwhile, 56% of respondents believe the war will end in the second half of 2027 or later, and 21% were unable to provide an answer. Thus, the majority of citizens are focused on the protracted nature of the conflict and do not expect its swift conclusion.

### Position on Territorial Concessions

The question of possible territorial concessions remains categorical for Ukrainians: 61% of respondents spoke out against ceding the Donbas to the aggressor country in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe. This figure, according to KIIS data, establishes a rigid boundary that the majority of citizens are unwilling to cross even under external pressure on Kyiv.

### Attitude Toward Refineries Strikes and Winter Resistance

Sociologists also asked respondents whether Ukraine should continue strikes on Russian oil refineries if the US restricts or halts military aid and intelligence sharing. 80% of respondents supported continuing such strikes even under these conditions; only about 11% believe they should be abandoned. Additionally, 76% of citizens spoke in favor of continuing resistance even during a difficult winter, indicating a resilient mindset toward conducting combat operations in the cold season.

### Assessment of Government Actions on European Integration

Separately, KIIS measured public attitudes toward the authorities' fulfillment of European integration obligations. Half of the respondents believe that the authorities are not fulfilling the necessary obligations for Ukraine's accession to European structures. The opposite opinion is held by 46% of citizens. Thus, society is divided almost equally on this issue, which may influence public demand for the executive branch amid the ongoing conflict.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Украинцы готовы терпеть войну столько, сколько нужно? Что показал опрос](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayintsi-gotovi-terpiti-viynu-stilki-skilki-1793179944.html) - Primary source: over 60% are ready to endure the war for as long as needed; 61% oppose ceding Donbas; half believe the authorities are failing to fulfill European integration obligations (46% hold the opposite view).
- [Опрос КМИС: сколько украинцев готовы терпеть войну столько, сколько нужно](https://society.comments.ua/news/warrussia/opros-kmis-skolko-ukraincev-gotovy-terpet-voynu-stolko-skolko-nuzhno-819615.html) - 63% are ready to endure as long as needed; 5% about a year; 21% from several months to half a year; 11% undecided; 80% support strikes on Russian refineries even if US aid is limited; 76% support winter resistance.
- [КМИС: большинство украинцев настроены на затяжную войну, но готовы терпеть](https://news.novyny.live/ru/kmis-bolshinstvo-ukraintsev-nastroeny-na-zatiazhnuiu-voinu-no-gotovy-terpet-349820.html) - Poll of October 8–16, 2026; 62% ready to endure as long as needed; 4% a year; 21% short period; 13% undecided; 10% expect end of war by end of 2026, 13% in 1st half of 2027, 56% in 2nd half of 2027 or later.
- [Украинцы готовы терпеть войну столько, сколько нужно? Новый опрос показал интересный](https://news.telegraf.com.ua/obshhestvo/5952890-ukraintsy-gotovy-terpet-voynu-stolko-skolko-nuzhno-novyy-opros-pokazal-interesnyy) - 62% ready to endure the war for as long as it takes; national figure unchanged compared to previous poll.

## FAQ

### How many Ukrainians are ready to endure the war for as long as it takes?

According to the KIIS poll, about 62–63% of respondents are ready to endure the war for as long as needed. Another 4–5% estimated the period at about a year, 21% at several months to half a year, and the rest were undecided.

### When do Ukrainians expect the war to end?

Only 10% of respondents expect the war to end by the end of 2026, 13% in the first half of 2027, 56% in the second half of 2027 or later, and 21% are undecided.

### Have sentiments changed compared to the previous poll?

No, no significant changes were recorded: compared to the previous KIIS measurement (October 8–16), Ukrainians' readiness to continue resistance remains stable.

### What is the stance of Ukrainians on ceding the Donbas for security guarantees?

61% of respondents are categorically against ceding the Donbas to the aggressor country in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe.