An overwhelming majority of Ukrainians remain unwilling to concede any territory to end the yearlong war that has seen Russian forces batter their cities and severely damage infrastructure, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by the independent Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, showed 87% of Ukrainians steadfastly support the position repeatedly expressed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Nine percent believe some territory can be abandoned to attain peace, according to the poll.
The survey, taken earlier this month, drew responses similar to a December poll. The pollsters acknowledged that citizens with "pro-Russian" attitudes might be less willing to participate in surveys. But its studies indicate those who participate generally answer frankly, the organization said.
"Even at the end of a difficult winter, Ukrainians maintain their unity and desire to continue resisting the cruel aggressor," the report says. "Currently, any plan where Ukrainians will be 'sold' peace in exchange for territory is doomed to failure and rejection by society."
'WE NEED TO KEEP LIVING':What life is like for Ukrainians a year into Russia's invasion
Developments:
►Russia has fired almost 5,000 missiles into Ukraine since the invasion began a year ago, Ukraine Brigadier General Oleksiy Gromov said Thursday. More than 1,000 drone strikes also have targeted the country, he said.
►Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking the country's Defender of the Fatherland Day on Thursday by meeting with veterans, said the future belongs to Russia. "It is a sacred duty of the state to take care of those who defend the nation," Putin added at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Russian casualties in the war are estimated at close to 200,000.
'WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME':Displaced Ukrainian children risk erosion in school, mental health
Ammunition flow to Ukraine 'not sustainable,' NATO chief says
The amount of ammunition the West is sending to Ukraine is "not sustainable" and the defense industry must ramp up production to help turn back the Russian invasion, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Thursday. Stoltenberg, in an interview with Sky News, said the war has become a "battle of logistics." He deflected questions about Ukraine's plea for fighter jets, saying the more urgent need is for ammunition, spare parts and maintenance on the weapons systems already supplied to Kyiv.
"This is becoming a grinding war of attrition," Stoltenberg said. "So far we have provided support by digging into our stocks, but consumption of ammunition in Ukraine is much higher than our production. This is not sustainable."
Dale Buckner, a retired Army colonel and CEO of the Global Guardian security firm with people in Ukraine, told USA TODAY the war has provided the West with an "urgent and most needed wakeup call" for its defense industrial base and fragile supply chain.
Stoltenberg said allowing Putin to win the war "would be a tragedy for Ukrainians but also would be dangerous" for the West.
"It would send a send a message to President Putin and authoritarian leaders that when they use force they get what they want," Stoltenberg said.
Ukraine bolsters security as one-year mark of invasion approaches
Ukrainian officials are boosting security measures in some parts of the country in anticipation of a Russian attack around Friday's one-year anniversary of the invasion launched by Putin.
Schools throughout the country have been told to close and provide online instruction Wednesday through Friday amid fears they could be targeted.
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, less than 20 miles south of the Russian border, Mayor Ihor Terekhov encouraged those fearful of an attack to work remotely, the Kyiv Independent reported.
The southern province of Kherson has increased police patrols in areas that attract crowds and discouraged gatherings, while administrators have asked that most public offices and businesses operate remotely the rest of the week. The city of Kherson was reclaimed by Ukrainian forces in November but is still under Russian fire from across the Dnipro River.
"We strongly ask you to take care of your own safety and the safety of your relatives in this period!" province administrators said in a Facebook post.
Russians intensify efforts to extend control in Donetsk
The city of Bakhmut and the town of Vuhledar are enduring an intense assault as the Russians try to expand their control of the southern Donetsk province.
Previous attempts to overtake Vuhledar failed in late 2022 and earlier this month, and the commander in charge of the operations, Colonel General Rustam Muradov, is under heavy pressure to deliver results, the British Defense Ministry said in its latest update.
However, the ministry added, "it is unlikely that Muradov has a striking force capable of achieving a breakthrough.''
UN to vote on resolution condemning Russia
The United Nations will vote Thursday on a resolution condemning Russia's invasion and calling for peace as soon as possible. The resolution, put forward by Ukraine and its allies, stresses "the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace" in line with the founding U.N. Charter.
The invasion was an "affront" to the world's collective conscience, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said.
"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine challenges the principles and values of our multilateral system," he tweeted. "The position of the @UN is unequivocal: We are committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.''
Zelenskyy strives to get government house in order
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has removed numerous high-ranking officials over the last few months, stepping up the battle against government corruption that has been historically rampant in Ukraine, according to Jeffrey Levine, a former U.S. ambassador to Estonia, like Ukraine a former Soviet republic sharing a border with Russia.
“I thought it especially impressive that President Zelenskyy has been willing to remove high-ranking officials for corruption in the midst of the war," Levine said. "It further enhances his reputation and will, hopefully, lead to a stronger, more democratic Ukraine when this is all over.”
A deeper dive
• 'It's hard, but they're holding on,' On the ground in Ukraine, the war depends on U.S. weapons
• 'WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME': Displaced Ukrainian children risk erosion in school, mental health
• 'Kyiv stands strong’: Biden declares Putin ‘was wrong,’ marks one year of Russia’s war in Ukraine
• Putin suspends nuclear arms treaty while lashing out at West over Ukraine war
• Joe Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine ahead of Russian invasion anniversary, walks streets of Kyiv
