A overwhelming majority of Russian-speaking Ukrainians — these how primarily converse Russian at dwelling — view Russia negatively, in accordance with a survey revealed on Might 27 by Kyiv-based suppose tank Razumkov Middle in cooperation with the Kyiv Safety Discussion board.
The ballot, performed between April 24 and Might 4, 2025, surveyed 2,021 Ukrainian residents aged 18 and older in territories beneath Ukrainian authorities management. In keeping with the survey, solely 11% of respondents stated they primarily converse Russian at dwelling.
Of these, 82% stated that they had a unfavorable view of Russia.
The outcomes come as Russia continues to invoke the supposed plight of Russian-speaking communities to justify its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However the information suggests this narrative is broadly rejected by these it claims to defend.
As just lately as Might 23, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Moscow "can not depart" Russian-speaking residents in Kyiv-controlled areas and would "shield them."
Solely 13% of Russian-speaking respondents preserve a good opinion of Russia. Against this, admiration for Western nations stays robust — 79% of respondents view France positively, and 75% really feel the identical about the UK.
The survey additionally discovered that 42% of respondents recognized the European mannequin of social growth as probably the most engaging. Simply 6% expressed a choice for the Russian mannequin, additional undermining Kremlin rhetoric about cultural and political alignment.
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Assist for Ukraine's army stays resilient. Some 81.5% of these surveyed stated they belief the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a mirrored image of sustained public confidence regardless of ongoing Russian assaults. Solely 14% expressed mistrust.
Earlier than the battle, lots of the cities now devastated by Russian assaults and occupation — Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sievierodonetsk — have been predominantly Russian-speaking.
Fairly than safety, these areas have endured mass displacement, compelled deportations, and indiscriminate bombardment by Russian forces.
The battle has additionally catalyzed a nationwide shift in language use.
In keeping with a 2024 Ranking Group ballot, 70% of Ukrainians now converse completely or primarily in Ukrainian at dwelling — up from 50% in 2015 and 46% in 2006.
In 2014, simply after Russia's unlawful annexation of Crimea, a separate Ranking Group ballot confirmed that 56% of Ukrainians already opposed granting Russian the standing of a second state language.
The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell