A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) poll released in early February measured Ukrainians’ attitudes as the war entered its fifth year. Fieldwork done in late January caught public opinion during a wave of large Russian strikes on energy infrastructure that caused widespread power cuts and interrupted heating and water — hitting Kyiv especially hard as temperatures fell to around minus 25 Celsius.
KIIS found 88% of respondents believe the attacks on energy systems aim to force Ukraine to surrender. At the same time, 65% said they were willing to endure hardship for as long as necessary, up from roughly 62% in September and December 2025 polls. KIIS director Anton Hruschezkyj said much of that resilience comes from a sense that Russia’s campaign threatens Ukrainian existence: for many the fight is about survival as well as justice. He warned people remain exhausted and willing to tolerate difficult concessions, but refuse to cross certain “red lines.”
The strikes and outages have prompted some Ukrainians to liken the suffering to the Holodomor famine of 1932–33, using terms such as “Cholodomor” or “murder by cold.” Psychologist Kateryna Kudrschynska warned that chronic war stress is wearing on bodies and minds, yet she also pointed to the strength that comes from refusing to give up after long and deep sacrifice.
Civilians describe a mix of fatigue, anger and determination. Julia, a Kyiv resident whose husband has been deployed since 2024, said the latest attacks did not increase her resolve because she has been determined and angry since 2022 — the new strikes are another hard stage in a battle she believes Ukraine will eventually win. Student Natalia, who returned to Kyiv after fleeing abroad, laid a small flag at an impromptu memorial in Independence Square for her father, who died in Donetsk. She struggles with loss and harsh conditions but draws strength from her father’s wish to build a future with family: “I can’t give up because of him. I am convinced that Ukraine has a future.”
Olha, a mother in Kyiv with a two-year-old and a husband now serving in the Pokrovsk region, said she cannot take her child and leave. She balances raising their son with part-time work while her husband is rarely home. Many civilians take heart from Russia’s economic troubles and its lack of decisive military victories over four years, which feeds cautious optimism that the situation will eventually improve.
At the same time, soldiers report strain. Serhij, a medic who volunteered four years ago, said motivation has slipped as deployment periods remain open-ended, demobilization is rare and non-frontline troops receive inadequate financial support. Kyrylo, a telecommunications specialist, described a resigned acceptance among troops to a new normal without rest or long-term plans. Corruption scandals and misappropriation of defense-related funds have further dented morale; revelations that resources were mishandled leave many soldiers feeling cheated.
Mos, a member of a drone regiment, admitted to burnout and apathy at times but said discipline and the belief that Ukraine’s national identity could be lost without resistance help restore his drive.
Hruschezkyj also emphasized the importance of continued European support: many Ukrainians view the present suffering as an investment in a future built with partners. KIIS data show over 60% remain optimistic that Ukraine will become a prosperous member of the European Union within a decade.
As the conflict enters its fifth year, the picture is one of hardened resolve mixed with deep fatigue. Civilians and service members alike balance grief, exhaustion and daily hardship with determination to defend a country they see as fighting for its existence — and with hope that external support and future integration with Europe will reward that endurance.
The names of three soldiers quoted in this story have been changed to protect their identities. This article was originally published in Ukrainian.