Almost 40% of Ukrainians expect power supply situation to worsen in winter, only 9% hope for improvement – poll. PHOTO
Nearly four in ten Ukrainians surveyed believe that the energy supply situation in winter 2026–2027 will worsen compared with the previous heating season. Meanwhile, the largest share of respondents — 47% — expect conditions to remain roughly the same.
This is shown by the results of a Rating Group survey conducted on October 3–5, 2026, Censor.NET reports.
What Ukrainians expect from the coming winter
According to the poll, 39% of respondents expect the energy supply situation to worsen compared with winter 2025–2026.
Another 47% believe there will be no significant changes, while 9% hope for improvement.
The figures differ little from the results of a similar survey conducted in October 2025. At that time, 38% of Ukrainians expected the energy supply situation to worsen, 46% believed it would remain unchanged, and 11% expected improvement.
Meanwhile, in response to a separate question about the overall state of the energy sector in winter, 39% of respondents said they expected deterioration, while another 24% expected significant deterioration.
Thus, with the question worded this way, a total of 63% of respondents expect negative changes.
By contrast, 18% believe the situation will remain unchanged, 8% expect improvement, and 2% expect significant improvement.
What are the expectations for the economy?
Ukrainians' pessimistic expectations also extend to the overall economic situation.
Specifically, 47% of respondents expect the economy to deteriorate in winter, while another 24% expect significant deterioration.
Only 3% expect the economic situation to improve, while another 4% expect significant improvement. Meanwhile, 17% believe there will be no significant changes.
How the survey was conducted
The Rating Sociological Group conducted the poll on October 3–5, 2026.
According to the researchers, the sample is representative by age, sex, and settlement type. The maximum statistical margin of error does not exceed 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
The figures reflect respondents' expectations rather than an actual forecast of the power system's condition during winter.
