• According to the results of the research carried out by the Sociological Group “Rating” in September-October 2018, 52% of the respondents expressed their readiness to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine with arms in case of corresponding threat (in 2017, this number was 54%, in 2012 - 33%). The highest number of such was recorded in the West (63%), in the Center and South - half. At the same time, in the East, the relative majority (55%) said they were not ready to defend their Fatherland with arms in their hands (35% were ready, 10% have not decided). Patriotism is more obvious among men and wealthy respondents.
• 62% of the polled support the idea of establishing a public holiday of Ukraine Defender’s Day on October 14 (25% do not support). At the same time, a half (51%) oppose the abolition of the celebration of the Fatherland Defender’s day on February 23 (in 2017, this number was somewhat higher - 56%). It should be noted that while the number of the supporters of the holiday introduction on October 14 is higher in the West, the number of the opponents of the Soviet holiday abolition is higher in the South and East. The number of the sympathizers of the idea of establishing the Ukraine Defender’s Day on Pokrova is higher among those with higher income and education level, and also among the rural residents. Interestingly, there are no differences between the genders in question of supporting or not supporting both initiatives. Moreover, among the supporters of the idea of establishing October 14 as the Ukraine Defender’s Day, 42% do not support the abolition of the Soviet holiday celebration on February 23.
• 45% of the respondents support the idea of recognizing the OUN-UPA as members of the struggle for state independence of Ukraine (in 2017 - 49%). One-third have the opposite opinion, almost a quarter did not answer. Since the beginning of research in 2010, the level of support for this initiative has increased 2.5 times.
• The highest number of those who support the recognition of the OUN-UPA is recorded in the West (80%). The Center has 45% of such respondents. The number of those who have the opposite opinion is the highest among the residents of the South and East (respectively, 52% and 46%). The highest number of those who support the idea of the OUN-UPA recognition was recorded among men, those with higher income and education.
• 56% of the respondents are positive towards the idea of reconciliation between the soldiers of the Soviet Army and the OUN-UPA. 22% expressed opposing considerations, 23% hesitated to answer. The highest number of those who are positive towards reconciliation was recorded in the West (70%) and the lowest - in the East (40%). The support for the idea is somewhat higher among men, rural citizens, and older respondents. Among the supporters of the OUN-UPA recognition, 79% agree with the reconciliation idea. At the same time, among those who do not support the idea of the national rebel movement recognition, the number of such is 36%.
• An absolute majority of the respondents (82%) agree with the thesis that during the Second World War soldiers of the Soviet Army defended their Fatherland. However, in comparison with the previous years, this number is somewhat lower (in 2017 - 90%, in 2012 - 96%). 51% of the respondents agree with the thesis that during the Second World War, the OUN-UPA warriors defended their Fatherland. The level of support for the latter thesis is the same as it used to be last year (in comparison with 2012, it has increased 1.5 times). The number of the supporters of the thesis that the soldiers of the OUN-UPA defended their Fatherland is the highest in the West, the lowest - in the South and East.
Audience: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, region, and settlement type. Total sample: 2000 respondents. Personal formalized interview (face-to-face). The margin of error does not exceed 2.2%. Period of the survey: 27 September – 4 October, 2018
