In 35 years, Ukrainians transformed how they see their country and themselves
On Aug. 24, Ukraine marks Independence Day. Over 35 years of independence, Ukrainians’ views of their country’s direction — and of their own identity — have changed dramatically.
In the 35 years since Ukraine gained independence, the nation's citizens have undergone significant changes in their perception of their country and identity. NV analyzed surveys from the 1990s to the present to uncover the shifts in attitudes, preferences, and opinions among Ukrainians.
A pivotal aspect of these changes is the transformation in Ukrainians' attitudes towards the Russian language. In 1997, 39% of citizens believed that Russian should become the country's second official language, while in 2026, this figure had plummeted to just 5% according to Kyiv International Institute of Sociology data. Presently, 65% of Ukrainians are in favor of removing Russian from official communication nationwide, up from 18% in 1997.
Independence has also reshaped Ukrainians' self-perception. Historically, many identified as residents of their localities or as Soviet Union citizens. However, a larger share now identifies as citizens of Ukraine, with 72.7% of respondents selecting this option in 2025, compared to 45.6% in 1992. During Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, this figure peaked at 84.6%.
Another significant development during Ukraine's independence has been the restoration of autocephaly for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This coincided with a sharp decline in affiliation with Moscow-linked churches. In 2010, only 15% of Orthodox believers identified with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, while 24% identified with the Moscow Patriarchate. By 2025, this had shifted to 5% identifying with the Russian Orthodox Church and 43% identifying with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Throughout this period, public figures have occasionally risen to prominence in Ukrainians' trust rankings. From national leaders like Leonid Kuchma in the 1990s to opposition figures such as Viktor Yushchenko in the early 2000s, and more recently, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former commander in chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, who has led trust rankings during the ongoing war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also enjoyed high trust during the invasion's initial years and in 2025.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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