Less than half of Ukrainians believe that the country can regain the territory it lost before 2014, when the army faced challenges on the battlefield. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have been retreating from the eastern Donbass region due to heavy losses, raising concerns about the collapse of the front line. The severe lack of ammunition and manpower has added to these concerns.
A survey released by independent polling agency Rating revealed that only 45% of Ukrainians believe their country can regain its pre-2014 territory, a significant decrease from a year ago when 74% had the same belief. The failure of recent counteroffensive campaigns has left many Ukrainians feeling pessimistic, especially in areas controlled by Russia.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the loss of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, millions of displaced civilians, and a struggling economy. There are worries about the stability of financial and military aid from the West, even though new weapons from the US may be on the way. Moscow has been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to power outages and economic challenges.
Despite the challenges, some Ukrainians in border areas like Mykola Akhbash from Pokrovsk maintain hope amidst daily shelling. However, the prospect of regaining Crimea and Donbass seems increasingly unlikely, with only 7% of survey participants believing in this scenario. Foreign observers, like Nikolay Mitrokhin, believe that Crimea’s return to Ukraine is unrealistic, given Russia’s strategic investments in the region.
The situation in Donbass is also bleak, with Ukraine struggling to make significant advances. Russia’s shifting strategies and the challenges of receiving military support from the West have made the task of regaining control of these territories even more difficult. Despite the obstacles, some still hold onto hope for a different outcome in the ongoing conflict.