Only one in four Russians wants to keep fighting in Ukraine. But nearly three in four still say they support the war.
That paradox sits at the heart of a new Levada Center poll released 22 December: Russians haven't turned against the invasion, but they increasingly want it to end. Some 66% now favor transitioning to peace negotiations—a record high. Just 25% want to continue military operations—a record low.
Meanwhile, 73% still say they "support the actions of Russian armed forces in Ukraine." That figure has barely budged since February 2022, hovering between 70-80% throughout the war. Russians will back the troops; they just want them home.
"Do you personally support the actions of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine? Blue: support; Red: don't support Who wants to keep fightingThe 25% who favor continued operations cluster around a narrow base: men (32%), Russians over 55 (32%), those who trust state television, and those who approve of Putin's presidency.
Moscow residents stand out at 40%—nearly double the national average for war supporters.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, framed the numbers bluntly: "Around Putin, there remains a core of Nazis who want to keep fighting—some of whom are personally profiting from the war or have relatives getting rich from it."
Who wants peaceWomen (71%), Russians under 40 (74%), and rural residents (72%) disproportionately back negotiations. Those who disapprove of Putin support talks at a rate of 80%—as do those who get their news from social media rather than television.
The pattern suggests war fatigue is spreading fastest among those furthest from power and least exposed to state propaganda.
Overall support for the military remains high—but decliningWhile support for peace negotiations rises, 73% of Russians still say they support the actions of Russian armed forces in Ukraine. But that figure has dropped 7% since May 2025, with opposition climbing from 13% to 18% over the same period.
Attention to the war is waning too. Nearly one in five Russians (18%) now say they don't follow news about Ukraine at all—up 8% from May. Among Russians under 25, more than three-quarters either pay little attention or ignore the war entirely.
Explore further I’ve monitored Russian soldiers for 3.5 years. The system is finally cracking Skepticism about US mediationHalf of respondents (51%) doubt US-mediated peace talks will succeed; only 28% believe they might. Moscow residents are the most skeptical.
The survey comes amid ongoing negotiations facilitated by Washington, which have produced prisoner exchanges but no ceasefire. Russian negotiators have maintained maximalist demands, including Ukrainian neutrality, recognition of annexed territories, and "denazification"—terms Ukraine has rejected.
Economic pressure mountsThe shift toward negotiations aligns with mounting economic strain. The Central Bank has been forced to cut interest rates from a record 21% peak as businesses struggle with borrowing costs. Oil revenues have plunged. Economists warn Russia faces its "worst situation since the war started."
Some 54% of Russians now say the war has negatively impacted their daily lives, with 36% reporting their financial situation has worsened—up from 27% in September 2024, according to the Chronicles polling organization.
Both sides want peace—on incompatible termsUkrainian public opinion has shifted toward negotiations too, but the gap between the two sides remains vast. A December KIIS poll found 72% of Ukrainians would accept a frozen front line with security guarantees—but 75% called Russia's terms "completely unacceptable."
Only 17% of Ukrainians would agree to Moscow's demands: reducing the army, abandoning NATO membership, and recognizing occupied territories.
Trust in Washington has collapsed among Ukrainians—dropping from 41% last December to just 21% now—while 63% say they're ready to keep fighting. The numbers suggest two war-weary populations heading toward a negotiating table with almost no common ground.
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