In September, half of respondents followed events around Ukraine with some attention. Support for the actions of Russian troops remains consistently high. The share of those favoring a shift to peace negotiations has been above 60% over the past six months. Most respondents would support a decision by Vladimir Putin to end the military conflict with Ukraine “this week.” However, if ending the conflict required returning the annexed territories, only a third of respondents would support the president’s decision.

In September 2025, attention to the situation around Ukraine decreased slightly (by 8 p.p. compared to May 2025): half of respondents (50%, combining “very attentive” and “somewhat attentive”) followed events around Ukraine closely, another third (35%) followed without much attention, and 14% did not follow at all.

The most attentive to events around Ukraine were older respondents (67% among those aged 55 and older), less well-off respondents (58% among those who can barely afford food), those who believe the country is heading in the right direction (53%), those for whom television is a source of information (62%), those who support the activities of Russian troops in Ukraine (57%), and those who believe military actions should continue (68%).

Young people under 25 (23%), more affluent respondents (49% among those who can afford durable goods), those who believe the country is heading in the wrong direction (41%), those who rely on social networks and Telegram channels for information (45% each), those who do not support the actions of Russian troops in Ukraine (30%), and those who believe it is time to move to peace negotiations (43%) followed the situation with less attention.

Support for the actions of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine remains high—78% (including 48% who definitely support and 30% who rather support). 15% do not support the actions of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine (6% definitely do not support, 9% rather do not support).

Support for the actions of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine is higher among the following groups: men (83%), older respondents (82% among those aged 55 and older), Muscovites (83%), those who believe the country is heading in the right direction (87%), those who approve of V. Putin’s activities as president (83%), those who trust television as a source of information (87%), and those who believe military actions should continue (96%).

Support for the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine is lower among the following groups: women (75%), young people under 25 (66%), residents of cities with populations over 500,000 (76%), those who believe the country is heading in the wrong direction (51%), those who do not approve of the current president’s activities (45%), those who trust social networks and Telegram channels as sources of information (76% each), and those who believe it is time to move to peace negotiations (71%).

The share of respondents who believe it is now time to move to peace negotiations has not changed significantly over the past six months and stands at about two-thirds—62% in September 2025 (including 31% who would “definitely start peace negotiations” and 31% who would “rather start peace negotiations”). 29% of respondents believe military actions should continue (including 18% who would “definitely continue military actions” and 11% who would “rather continue military actions”).

Supporters of peace negotiations are more numerous among women (70%), young people under 25 (82%), those who believe the country is heading in the wrong direction (77%), those who do not approve of V. Putin’s activities as president (73%), those who trust social networks as a source of information (73%), and those who do not support the actions of Russian troops in Ukraine (89%).

Supporters of continuing military actions are more numerous among men (39%), older respondents (36% aged 55 and older), Moscow residents (45%), those who believe the country is heading in the right direction (34%), those who approve of the current president’s activities (31%), those who trust television as a source of information (34%), and those who support the actions of Russian troops (36%).

In the September survey, the polling experiment conducted several times before was repeated. Using a random number generator, respondents were divided into two equal groups, each asked the question in one of two formulations. In the first case, respondents were asked if they would support or not support the president’s decision to immediately end the military conflict (without any conditions). In the second case, respondents were asked if they would support or not support the same decision, but with the condition of returning the new territories.

Most respondents (80%, up 18 p.p. from May 2023) would support V. Putin’s decision to end the military conflict with Ukraine “this week” (a steady increase of 13 p.p. from May 2023). However, if V. Putin decided “this week” to end the conflict but with the condition of returning the annexed territories, significantly fewer Russians—a third of respondents—33% (up 5 p.p. from February 2025) — would support his decision.

More than others would support V. Putin’s decision to end the military conflict with Ukraine “this week”: women (84%), young people under 25 (93%), those who believe the country is heading in the wrong direction (88%), those who approve of V. Putin’s activities (84%), social networks/Telegram users (89%), supporters of Russian troops (97%), those favoring continued actions (95%).

More than others would not support V. Putin’s decision to end the military conflict with Ukraine “this week”: men (18%), older respondents (20%), Muscovites (19%), those seeing the right direction (15%), Putin approvers (14%), TV trusters (17%), troop supporters (18%), continued actions advocates (34%).

More than others would support ending the military conflict with territory return: women (35%), youth <25 (53%), rural residents (38%), wrong direction believers (43%), Putin approvers (40%), social network users (42%), non-troop supporters (51%), negotiation advocates (43%).

More than others would not support ending the military conflict with territory return: men (62%), aged 40+ (62%), Muscovites (19%), right direction believers (15%), Putin approvers (61%), TV/Telegram users (61%), troop supporters (65%), continued actions advocates (81%).