80% of Ukrainians back refinery strikes if US aid drops

Eighty percent of Ukrainians surveyed support continuing strikes on Russian oil refineries, even if the United States reduces or halts its financial assistance. This finding indicates a strong preference for maintaining offensive operations against key energy targets, regardless of shifts in external aid packages.

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) released the data on October 28, 2026. Only 11 percent of respondents said attacks on refineries should stop. Another eight percent remained undecided.

The survey, conducted from October 16 to October 25, 2026, used telephone interviews. A total of 828 adults aged 18 and older participated. All respondents lived in areas of Ukraine under government control. The institute noted that residents of regions outside Kyiv's control were not included in the sample.

Respondents also indicated their willingness to endure the conflict. Sixty-three percent said they are prepared to continue the war for as long as necessary. Five percent cited a one-year timeframe. Twenty-one percent pointed to a shorter period, ranging from a few months to six months. Eleven percent had no firm answer.

KIIS reported a formal statistical margin of error not exceeding 4.4% for indicators near 50%, at a 0.95 probability level with a design effect of 1.3. The margin was 3.8% for indicators near 25%, 2.7% for those near 10%, and 1.9% for those near 5%. The institute added that wartime conditions may introduce systematic deviations beyond these formal limits.