---
title: "Poll reveals what worries Ukrainians most: shelling ranks second"
description: "A fresh KIIS poll shows that government corruption worries Ukrainians more than shelling, cited by 50% of respondents compared to 40% for military strikes. Meanwhile, the majority of citizens still feel happy."
date: 2026-09-28T10:10:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/poll-reveals-what-worries-ukrainians-most
tags: [sociology, corruption, ukraine-war, public-opinion, kmis]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Poll reveals what worries Ukrainians most: shelling ranks second

![Sociological study of Ukrainians' sentiments in 2026](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/28/sotsiologi-vyyasnili-chto-bolshe-vsego-volnuet-ukraintsev/sotsiologi-vyyasnili-chto-bolshe-vsego-volnuet-ukraintsev-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Government corruption is the top issue for 50% of surveyed Ukrainians.
- Massive shelling and drone attacks worry 40% of citizens.
- 72% of respondents believe corruption has increased during the full-scale war.
- Despite severe conditions, the majority of Ukrainians report feeling happy.

According to recent sociological surveys by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted in September 2026, internal governance issues and persistent military threats have become the main triggers for Ukrainian society. The survey data reveals complex public sentiments balancing between existential fear of massive missile and drone strikes and deep disappointment with the government apparatus. ### Key Priorities of Concern: Corruption and Shelling

During the large-scale study, respondents were asked to choose up to the three most acute problems from twelve suggested options. The absolute leader in public dissatisfaction was government corruption, noted by 50% of respondents. Massive missile and drone attacks by Russian forces ranked second, causing concern for 40% of citizens. Meanwhile, general socio-economic problems such as low wages and pensions ranked fourth, receiving 28% of votes. This distribution demonstrates that institutional shortcomings and security have taken center stage in public attention.

### Public Administration Factor vs. Military Risks

Analyzing the respondents' answers highlights two dominant groups of triggers — military and administrative. Combining the figures, war factors (missile-drone strikes and the immediate frontline situation) concern a total of 53% of survey participants. However, total dissatisfaction with the authorities was even higher: 64% of citizens cited either corruption or general incompetence and unprofessionalism of the country's leadership as their main concern (the latter noted by 30% of respondents). Thus, public administration problems in the population's perception currently outweigh even direct frontline threats. ### Contradictory Data

On one hand, sociology records a sharp increase in pessimism regarding internal politics: 72% of survey participants are convinced that the level of corruption in the country has increased significantly during the full-scale invasion, with only 6% noticing positive changes. On the other hand, parallel KIIS studies demonstrate a paradoxical level of psychological resilience: despite permanent stress, infrastructure disruptions, and existential threats, the vast majority of Ukrainians continue to call themselves happy, and the share of such respondents has even increased over the past year and a half, while only 16% consider themselves unhappy.

### Expert Assessments and Social Dynamics

Sociologists emphasize that Ukrainian society demonstrates a high degree of maturity alongside deep fatigue. Demands for changes in governance and the eradication of corruption schemes go hand in hand with the determination to continue armed resistance to aggression. Citizens clearly distinguish between the existential external front and internal institutional problems, demanding transparency and efficiency from the authorities even in wartime.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Социологи выяснили, что больше всего волнует украинцев: обстрелы на втором месте](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sotsiologi-z-yasuvali-shcho-naybilshe-hvilyue-1790589242.html) - Опубликованы детальные результаты опроса КМИС относительно главных проблем общества.
- [Коррупция и ракетно-дроновые атаки РФ: социологи рассказали, что больше всего волнует украинцев](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/09/28/8055351/) - Подтверждены ключевые цифры исследования (50% — коррупция, 40% — обстрелы).
- [Несмотря на войну: 71% украинцев чувствуют себя счастливыми, — КМИС](https://focus.ua/ukraine/766971-nesmotrya-na-voynu-71-ukraincev-chuvstvuyut-sebya-schastlivymi-kmis) - Подтверждены данные индекса счастья граждан на фоне продолжающейся войны.
- [Опрос: несмотря на войну с Россией, 71% украинцев ощущают себя счастливыми](https://www.newsru.co.il/world/7sep2026/kmis_202.html) - Дополнительное подтверждение психологического состояния украинского общества.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What issue took first place in the ranking of Ukrainian concerns?
**A:** Government corruption took first place, noted by 50% of KIIS survey participants.

### Q: What percentage of Ukrainians are concerned about shelling?
**A:** Massive missile and drone strikes worry 40% of respondents.

### Q: How has the perception of corruption changed during the war?
**A:** 72% of Ukrainians believe the level of corruption in the country has increased during the full-scale invasion.