What is the level of trust of Ukrainians in the military and war veterans: survey

The absolute majority of surveyed Ukrainians (96%) trust ATO veterans and military personnel who are currently defending Ukraine from the enemy, and the level of respect for them on the part of society remains high – 76%.

About this the results show of the 27th nationwide survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating”.

How many respondents have in their environment people who fought or are fighting?

55% respondents said that they had people in their circle who took part in hostilities from 2014 to 2021 (in September 2023, this indicator was 49%). AND 70% respondents have loved ones who are fighting or have been fighting since the start of a full-scale invasion. This is 5% more compared to the previous survey.

Do the interviewees allow the possibility of becoming veterans in the future?

A large part of the survey participants (41%) assumed that they could become veterans in the future. This answer was most often given by residents of western Ukraine, young respondents, as well as men whose relatives or friends have been fighting since 2014 and continue to serve in the military today.

in return 53% do not consider such an opportunity for themselves.

What problems can veterans face while adapting to normal life?

The interviewed Ukrainians assumed that, probably, after returning from the combat zone to the veterans a number of problems may arise. Including:

• psychoemotional instability (so they believe 86%);
• problems with physical health and difficulties in obtaining medical care (77%);
• lack of inclusive space and adapted workplace for people with disabilities and problems with registration of social benefits (74%).

Respondents also do not rule out that after returning to civilian life, military personnel may have conflicts in the family, difficulties with finding a job, as well as misunderstanding on the part of society.

About half (48%) respondents noted the risk of committing suicide among veterans, and also assumed that there is a possibility of their participation in crimes (34%).

According to the results of a sociological study, compared to the survey in September 2023, the number of those who see the risks of all the above problems has increased. The relatives of veterans who fought since 2014 feel them most acutely.

How knowledgeable are Ukrainians about the problems of veterans?

The survey also found that the level of awareness of veterans’ problems is increasing. In particular, 56% respondents noted that they are well or rather informed about it, and 42% – uninformed (most among them residents of eastern regions, elderly people and women).

Does the state fulfill its obligations to veterans?

The number of people who believe that the state properly fulfills its obligations to veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war is rapidly decreasing – only 25% share this opinion over 60% have the opposite vision.

The share of those who trust the government in August 2022 was 69% in January – 53%in September it decreased by 20% and amounted to 33%.

Residents of the west, as well as those who have relatives who took part in hostilities since 2014, hold the most negative opinion about the fulfillment of the state’s obligations to veterans.

The research was conducted on the initiative of the “Ukrainian Veterans Fund” of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine on March 2-5, 2024.

They participated in it 1,000 respondents aged 18 and over in all regions except temporarily occupied territories Crimea and Donbas, as well as territories where there was no Ukrainian mobile connection at the time of the survey.

The results are weighted using current data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender and type of settlement.

The error of representativeness of the study with a confidence probability of 0.95 is no more than 3.1%.

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