Only 25 percent of Russians support continuing war against Ukraine, poll shows
Share of Russians who want continuation of war against Ukraine falls to record low (photo: Getty Images)
The share of Russians who want the war in Ukraine to continue has dropped to 25 percent, the lowest level since the start of the full-scale invasion. At the same time, two-thirds of respondents support a transition to peace negotiations, according to a poll conducted by the Russian Levada Center.
The study covered 1,618 respondents in 50 regions of Russia. The survey was conducted from December 11 to 19.
According to sociologists, the share of those who believe it is now necessary to move to peace negotiations has increased in recent months and reached two-thirds of respondents (66%).
"At the same time, the share of those who think that military actions should be continued is decreasing — to a quarter of respondents (25%) — this is the minimum value for the entire observation period," the statement said.
As noted by the Levada Center, supporters of continuing the war are more numerous, in particular, among those who trust Russian television and approve of the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin (who started the war).
"The share of supporters of peace negotiations is higher among women (71%), respondents under 40 years old (74%), respondents with secondary education and below (72%), rural residents (72%), those who believe that things in the country are moving in the wrong direction (80%), those who do not approve of Putin's performance as president (80%), and those who trust social networks as a source of information (75%)," sociologists write.
Head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation Andriy Kovalenko noted that a narrow core of radically minded individuals has formed around the Kremlin leader, who insists on continuing the war.
"In fact, a core of Nazis has remained around Putin who want to continue fighting, some of whom either make money themselves or have close associates who are getting rich from the war," he wrote.
Other polls
Recall that a Levada Center poll conducted in July showed that support for the war against Ukraine among Russian residents remained at a maximum level, while two-thirds of respondents supported negotiations, but on their own terms.
At the same time, in May 2025, another study showed that most Russians do not support a ceasefire and believe it is necessary to seek Ukraine's capitulation.
Poll results in Ukraine demonstrate opposite sentiments: 59.5% of Ukrainians are convinced that, regardless of the terms under which the current war ends, Russia will attack Ukraine again in the future.
