It is unclear how many Ukrainians lost their lives as a result of the Russian war of aggression. However, a survey shows the extent of the tragedy.
The major Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing since February 24, 2022, has immense consequences for the people there. More than five million Ukrainians are registered as refugees in other European countries. It is also clear that there have been many deaths. However, the number of casualties, both soldiers and civilians, cannot be correctly estimated, especially since the Ukrainian army does not publish how many soldiers were killed. However, both numbers are certainly in the tens of thousands – if you consider, for example, that tens of thousands of civilians died in the fighting around Mariupol alone, which cannot be clearly verified because of the Russian occupation.
Russian missiles are constantly hitting deep in the hinterland, and clearly civilian targets are being attacked again and again. This week brought a new tragedy: Russian Iskander missiles destroyed a popular pizzeria in the city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. Twelve people died and more than 60 were injured. Among the dead: two 14-year-old sisters and a 17-year-old girl.
Friends and colleagues mourn the dead in Kramatorsk.
(Photo: picture alliance / AA)
The renowned International Sociology Institute in Kiev has now published a study that impressively shows how great the tragedy of the Russian attack on Ukraine is. In a representative sample, just over 2,000 people from all over Ukraine – apart from the currently occupied territory – were asked whether there were people in their immediate family or circle of friends who had died or been injured as a result of the war. And if so, how many.
“A tragic community experience”
The sad result: 78 percent of those surveyed have friends and relatives who either died or were injured. 64 percent know at least one person in their close circle who was injured. And 63 percent have someone who has passed away. Two other figures from the group of 78 percent are also alarmingly high: On average, these Ukrainians know of five injured and three dead.
There are hardly any regional differences – the values are between 70 percent in the east and 80 percent in the west. The fact that slightly more people in the West have deceased and injured relatives and acquaintances is probably due to the fact that more people were mobilized in Western regions in the first weeks and months after February 24, 2022, while active combat operations took place in many Ukrainian regions.
For the vast majority of Ukraine, the Russian war of aggression is “a tragic collective experience,” says Anton Hrushetskyj, deputy head of the International Institute of Sociology. Both the people of western and eastern Ukraine would suffer the same terrible losses inflicted by Russia: “We note a great pain of Ukrainians over these losses and insane anger towards the enemy.”
Nobody in Ukraine wants to hear about “common culture” with Russia
“The strong emotional coloring of this experience is a factor that, on the one hand, brings different Ukrainians closer to each other and enables them to understand each other better,” says Hruschezkyj, assessing the results of the study. On the other hand, this experience contributes to the unity of the Ukrainians to work together to drive out the enemy and achieve justice.
“Against this background, it also becomes clear why Russian propaganda, which refers to narratives of ‘common history’ and ‘common culture’, is hopeless here in Ukraine,” says the sociologist. “The Second World War was of course a great tragedy for Ukraine, but that experience is now a long way off. People are feeling the current grief now and today.” Therefore, the current emotions would inevitably lead to a long-term consolidation of the “away from Moscow” sentiment.
“This experience also ensures a stable uncompromising attitude regarding possible concessions to Russia. After all, when so many relatives and friends were injured or killed, how can one even talk about concessions?” stresses Hrushetskyj. This thesis is consistent with other surveys conducted by his institute. According to a poll conducted in early June, 84 percent of Ukrainians reject any territorial compromise with Russia. Since May, this value has been stable between a minimum of 82 and a maximum of 87 percent.