The overwhelming majority of Kiev residents believe that the state leadership was poorly prepared for the invasion – sociologists

82% of Kyiv residents believe that Ukraine is insufficiently prepared for a full-scale invasion – these are the results of a survey published by KIIS. 72% of them place the blame for this primarily on the central government. Other reasons cited include the population’s own lack of faith in the invasion (30%), insufficient efforts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces leadership (20%), too many resources in Russia (17%), and insufficient support from the West (16%).

A total of 46% believe that preparations were completely inadequate, while 36% believe that some things were done, but still mostly insufficient. Ukraine is considered to have done enough – 16%.

Earlier, KIIS also conducted all-Ukrainian surveys to assess preparations for a full-scale invasion. In both May 2022 and February 2025, Ukrainians also mostly believed that Ukraine had not done enough to prepare. Moreover, critical assessments are growing – from 52% in May 2022 to 81% in February 2025, there are more of those who believe that the efforts made were insufficient.

Of these 81%, 43% believe that efforts have been completely insufficient, and the remaining 38% believe that efforts have been rather insufficient, although they admit that some efforts have been made). It is believed that Ukraine has made sufficient efforts (in May 2022, this figure was 43%).

Most often, respondents to nationwide surveys said that the political authorities failed to make the necessary efforts (41% of those who believe that Ukraine was not ready), and that the population itself did not believe and did not prepare (32%).
In addition, Ukrainians cite the influence of pro-Russian forces and agents (21%), insufficient support from the West (16%), and the fact that Russia had too many resources (15%) as reasons. Less frequently, respondents chose the answer that the military command was unable to make the necessary effort (13%), and that it was objectively impossible to prepare and take everything into account during this period (10%).

Consequently, the data from surveys of residents of the capital regarding their assessment of preparations for the invasion correlate with national surveys.

The survey was conducted from July 25 to August 3, 2025. A total of 804 residents of Kyiv were interviewed by telephone. The survey was conducted with adults (aged 18 and older) residents of the city who lived in the city at the time of the survey (including IDPs permanently residing in Kyiv). The statistical error does not exceed 4.6%.