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Poll: Half of Ukrainians make no long-term life plans amid full-scale war

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Poll: Half of Ukrainians make no long-term life plans amid full-scale war
Kyiv after the night of one of the largest Russian attacks on Kyiv and Ukraine by kamikaze drones on Nov. 25, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Andrew Kravchenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Around half of Ukrainians make no long-term plans, while the number of people making life plans years in advance dropped from 19% to 12% over the past year, a survey by the Sociological Group Rating published on Dec 1. shows.

Around 15% of Ukrainians plan out their lives for a period of six to 12 months, and 22% for no longer than a few months.

Kyiv residents, young, middle-aged, and wealthier people tend to make long-term plans, according to the survey.

Some 60% of respondents said it is necessary to limit themselves in shopping and entertainment amid the war, while 36% believe it is important to live life to the fullest.

The first opinion is more often shared among residents of western regions, as well as older and less wealthy people. Kyiv residents, people from liberated territories, and younger and wealthier people lean toward the second answer.

‘Uncertainty and despair’: War taking heavy toll on mental health of Ukrainians
Viktoriia Borodai can not recall the last time she experienced “real joy.” She has lived in “uncertainty and despair” ever since Russia’s all-out war forced her to flee Kramatorsk, her hometown in Donetsk Oblast, last March. Seeking shelter in different towns across Ukraine and watching how Russia…

Around 80% of respondents said they feel safe in their home locality, while the number was lower among city residents and people from front-line or liberated settlements.

The survey was carried out between Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 and included 1,000 respondents aged over 18 from all oblasts except for occupied territories.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is taking a great toll on the mental well-being of Ukrainians, many of whom are facing regular strikes or Russian occupation.

In June last year, Health Minister Viktor Liashko forecasted that around 15 million Ukrainians would need psychological support in the future, and up to 4 million would require prescribed medical treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expects that roughly 9.6 million people in Ukraine "may have a mental health condition."

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By infiltrating Ukrainian positions in small infantry groups, Russia has accumulated around 200 troops within Pokrovsk, the General Staff reported. These personnel are engaging in "intense" small arms and drone clashes with Ukrainian troops in the city.

While Ukraine also lacks Western-supplied weapons, soldiers and commanders say shortages of basics — cars, drones and people — make holding back Russia extremely difficult. Even as Kyiv seeks U.S. approval for Tomahawks, they say critical, rudimentary gear is the more pressing need.

Russia faces an increase in the arson and “spontaneous combustion” of electrical panels, railway relay cabinets, and other infrastructure helping Moscow wage its war against Ukraine over the past week, a source at Ukraine’s military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent.

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The episode covers Russian war crimes in Pokrovsk and continued attacks on Ukrainian cities, including missile strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv. While Moscow continues to reject a ceasefire with Ukraine, has President Trump finally shifted his approach to Russia?

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