•             According to the nationwide survey carried out by the Sociological Group “Rating” on the initiative of the Ukrainian Veterans Fund of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine on 5-6 December 2024, 54% of the polled indicated that among their relatives and friends there were those who took part in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine from 2014 to 2021. 71% have among their relatives those who have fought or are fighting at the front since 24 February 2022. Compared to previous surveys, since 2022, the number of those whose relatives are currently fighting at the front has been increasing.

•             40% of respondents allow that they may become a veteran in the future, 56% share the opposite opinion. Residents of the Central and Western regions, the youngest respondents, men, and those who have relatives and friends who have fought since 2014 and are currently fighting were the most likely to consider becoming a veteran.

•             The highest levels of trust towards the military continue to be recorded in society. At the same time, there are significant differences in the level of trust by category of military. Specifically, 96% trust ATO veterans who are now fighting again, 91% trust veterans of the current war, and 88% trust veterans of the ATO (JFO) of 2014-2021. In the military category, 94% trust the Armed Forces personnel serving on the frontline, 76% trust those serving in the rear (not the TRC - territorial army recruitment centers). By contrast, 67% of respondents do not trust the military personnel of the TRC, while 29% trust them. Regarding the latter, the highest level of distrust is recorded among residents of the Western and border regions, the youngest generation, and men. 

•             Among the risks that veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war may face after returning from service, the top three are psycho-emotional instability, physical health problems and difficulties in obtaining medical care, lack of inclusive space and adapted workplaces for people with disabilities, as well as problems with obtaining social benefits and conflicts in the family. The respondents also consider the lack of social understanding, unemployment, alcohol or drug abuse, and the incompatibility of military experience with civilian life to be quite likely. About half of the respondents noted the risk of suicide among veterans and the risk of them breaking the law and engaging in crime. Compared to the survey in March 2024, the number of those who see risks in alcohol and drug abuse, lawbreaking, and involvement in crime has increased. Expectations of risks related to unemployment and suicide have somewhat decreased. Relatives of veterans who have fought since 2014 and are currently fighting are relatively more likely to experience these problems. 

•             64% of respondents said that the image of veterans in the Ukrainian media is mostly positive. 20% said it was rather neutral. Only 4% mentioned a negative image of veterans in the media. On the other hand, 36% said that the image of veterans in real life does not correspond to the one portrayed in the media. 58% shared the opposite opinion. Those who have relatives who have fought in the ATO/JFO since 2014 were more likely to mention the discrepancy between the image of veterans in real life and the media.

•             The number of those who believe that the state fulfils its obligations to veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war continues to decline: in August 2022, the number of such people was 69%, in January 2023 - 53%, in September 2023 - 33%, in March 2024 - 25%, and in December 2024 - 25%. Today, the number of those who think otherwise is 68%. Residents of the Western and border regions, as well as those who have relatives who have fought since 2014 and are currently fighting, are most likely to have a negative opinion of the state's obligations to veterans.

•             Among those who believe that the state fails to fulfil its obligations to veterans, the majority (59%) believe that the Verkhovna Rada is the institution that primarily fails to fulfil its obligations (59%). 30% said that the Cabinet of Ministers does not fulfil its obligations, 28% - the President, 27% - local councils and executive committees, 19% - ministries and departments.

•             78% of respondents believe that society today respects veterans. Compared to the survey conducted in March 2024, the number of respondents has slightly increased (76% in March). Today, 17% share the opposite opinion. The number of such respondents is higher among those who have relatives who have fought in the ATO/JFO since 2014, residents of the Western and border regions.

•             53% believe that government programmes to create inclusive (accessible) space and infrastructure for people with disabilities are ineffective. 37% share the opposite opinion. Residents of the frontline and central regions, older people (51+), and relatives of those who fought in the ATO and those who are currently fighting were more likely to say that such programmes are ineffective.

•             The number of those who said they were well or rather well informed about the problems of veterans has not changed compared to March 2024 (56%). 43% said they were not informed. The number of the latter is higher among the residents of the border regions, older people, and those who do not have relatives or friends who are fighting.