Survey by KMIS: 54% of Ukrainians see the reason for blackouts in Russian shelling.

According to ТСН: Russian propaganda tries to evade responsibility for energy attacks on Ukraine by spreading manipulative messages. A new survey revealed how many Ukrainians are aware of the true reasons for power outages, and who tends to blame the government or Western partners.

According to the survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Russia continues its information war against Ukraine. This is especially noticeable in the context of power outages, which are increasing after Russian shelling. Media narratives actively circulate that shift responsibility away from Russia and onto the Ukrainian government or Western partners.

“Therefore, we asked the question of what is the main reason for the lack of electricity, and offered three response options (respondents were to choose only one answer).”

According to the survey results, the majority of Ukrainians — 54% — believe that the true cause of power outages is indeed the Russian shelling, from which it is impossible to fully protect oneself. Meanwhile, 31% of those surveyed blame the Ukrainian government, believing it has not adequately prepared for the challenges. Another 7% of respondents indicated that the main reason is the lack of support from Western partners.

The nationwide survey conducted by KMIS took place from November 26 to December 29, 2025. Using telephone interviews based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers across all government-controlled regions of Ukraine, 1001 respondents aged 18 and older were surveyed.

Situation with energy supply

On the night of January 2, Russian troops again attacked energy facilities in Ukraine, resulting in the introduction of hourly power outage schedules in most regions. According to Ukrenergo, power outages were recorded in the Zaporizhzhia region, while recovery efforts for damaged equipment continue in Kyiv and Odesa. The situation is complicated by the weather: due to strong winds and snow, 27 settlements in Ivano-Frankivsk region were left without electricity.

The reasons for outages in Ukrainian territories have once again come to the forefront due to recent attacks. While restoration works are ongoing, the population is forced to adapt to new conditions, which undoubtedly puts pressure on people's morale. These events remind us of the importance of the country's energy security and the need to enhance the resilience of the energy infrastructure during conflict.