Degree of Ukrainian society during the war / thirteenth wave

Almost four years of full-scale war have significantly influenced Ukrainian society. Meanwhile, certain trends remain stable: against the backdrop of rising stress levels, Ukrainians maintain high trust in the Armed Forces and the realization that achieving a lasting peace is more important than a quick but shaky cessation of hostilities. These are the conclusions of the thirteenth wave of the “Gradus of Society During the War” study, conducted by the research company Gradus. The survey focused on expectations regarding the end of the war and its consequences, the emotional state of Ukrainians, and trust in key institutions.

Ukrainians believe in the AFU and support from allies

The highest level of trust among respondents is held by the AFU. More than half of the respondents consider the army to be the most reliable institution in the state (52%) and the main guarantor of victory in the war (54%). Trust in volunteer organizations (23%) and the President of Ukraine (21%) remains significantly lower but stable.

Trust in institutions

Among the factors that bring victory closer, Ukrainians also cite military aid from Western countries (53%), the strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation (44%), and the cohesion and resistance of society (43%).

Realization of a long-term war and the country’s potential

Expectations regarding the duration of the war have not changed significantly over the last year. Only 27% of respondents hope for an end to active hostilities by the end of next year, while 32% believe that the active phase of the war will last for several more years.

Perception of the duration of active hostilities

In scenarios for ending the war, the desire for lasting peace prevails. The majority of respondents (59%) consider the optimal option not to be a quick cessation of hostilities, but the end of the active phase provided there are guarantees that the war will not resume in the coming decades. Only 19% lean toward a quick cessation without such guarantees, and 23% have not decided on an answer.

Attitude toward scenarios for ending the active phase of the war

Assessing the possible consequences of the war, 42% of Ukrainians believe that the country will emerge from it stronger than it was before. At the same time, 32% believe that a prolonged military conflict will lead to a weakening of the state, and 11% expect the situation to remain generally unchanged.

Unity and linguistic identity as a personal choice

Ukrainians call language an important component of personal identity and social unity. Data from systematic Gradus studies demonstrate a steady change in linguistic practices. While in April 2022, 53% of respondents used the Ukrainian language in everyday life, as of December 2025, this indicator has increased significantly: 73% of respondents noted that they speak Ukrainian in everyday life.

Language of communication in everyday life

In parallel with these transformations, an increase in the level of stress is recorded. While in the pre-war period (November 2021 – February 2022) 78-79% of Ukrainians noted a high level of stress, this indicator has now reached a record 91%.

Among the emotions that dominate the moods of respondents, fatigue, tension, irritation, and disappointment are most often mentioned. Hope occupies only fifth place in the ranking of emotional states, which additionally emphasizes the depth of psychological pressure that society is facing in the fourth year of the war.

States/emotions that have prevailed in mood recently

The thirteenth wave of the study shows that Ukrainian society is entering a phase of more rational and mature perception of the war. Expectations for quick solutions are giving way to a demand for long-term security and predictability. The high level of trust in the Armed Forces and the growing role of the Ukrainian language in everyday life testify to consolidation and the formation of a stable civic identity. At the same time, people are increasingly clearly realizing the cost of war and the need for systemic solutions,

— notes Evheniya Blyznyuk, sociologist, founder and CEO of Gradus.

*The research report is available for download via the form below.

As part of the “Gradus of Society During the War” project, the research company Gradus conducted thirteen waves of studies on the moods of Ukrainians during the war: Wave I — February 28 – March 1, 2022, Wave II — March 8, 2022, Wave III — March 28, 2022, Wave IV — April 20, 2022, Wave V — May 23, 2022, Wave VI — July 28-30, 2022, Wave VII — December 27-30, 2022, Wave VIII — April 24-25, 2023, Wave IX — December 20-23, 2023, Wave X — June 17-21, 2024, Wave XI — December 23-25, 2024, Wave XII — May 16-18, 2025, Wave XIII — December 4, 2025. The survey was conducted by the research company Gradus using the self-administered questionnaire method in the Gradus mobile application. The sample reflects the structure of the population of cities with more than 50,000 residents aged 18-60 by gender, age, settlement size, and region, excluding temporarily occupied territories and territories of active hostilities. Sample size in the thirteenth wave of the survey: 1000 respondents.