A recent survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) claims that 65% of Ukrainians are reportedly ready to endure the war for as long as necessary. However, political analyst and Hvylya editor-in-chief Yuriy Romanenko explains why classical telephone sociology in wartime has turned into a tool for creating a favorable image for the West and the Office of the President.
"Look at this sociology: 'Are you ready, how long are you ready to endure the war?' And KIIS rolls out... 65%, it turns out, are ready to endure... People like me make up 95% of those who refuse to answer. To get those 1,000 respondents for a survey, they have to call 100,000 people because 90-95% simply refuse to participate in this nonsense," the expert emphasized.
He described official reports on public sentiment and economic indicators as a "virtual reality" that has nothing to do with the lives of ordinary people in freezing apartments.
"All of this is a virtual reality that supposedly has no connection to what is happening on the ground. When logic dies, it quietly passes away in Vorzel," Romanenko said.
According to Romanenko, the real situation in the country, particularly in the capital, is critical due to heating and electricity issues, forcing people to abandon their homes.
"In the Pechersk district, I know of buildings where the indoor temperature is the same as outside—around zero—because the pipes have burst. People are simply leaving, scattering now. Kyiv's housing stock will lose many apartments, and landlords will lose their income."
The political analyst expressed particular outrage over a proposal by MP Olena Shulyak regarding a rental market reform. The plan includes mandatory registration of contracts via the Diia app and fines of up to 85,000 UAH for concealing income. Romanenko believes such measures are ill-timed and harmful.
"What 'black market' rentals? Right now, you should be praying that people find any housing at all where they can take shelter so they don't leave the country. In reality, this looks like just another tax office tool to harass people for a few thousand hryvnias or to solicit bribes," he stated.
The expert ironically commented on the authorities' hopes that Ukrainians would voluntarily "legalize income" amid systemic corruption.
"I'll know that 20% was taken from my pocket only to be stolen for paving stones and everything else as if it's the last day. It's such a 'joy' that the state finally got this 20% and I can feel like a full-fledged citizen."
Romanenko predicts that the new rules will not bring money to the budget but will only increase corruption and neighborly conflicts, as the law provides mechanisms for reporting others.
"It is clear there is a mechanism to 'snitch.' The state is provoking a traditional feud. 'Oh, you're earning some money? Well, here, your neighbors will report you, and you'll be stuck in court,'" he added.
Summarizing, he drew a parallel with the situation surrounding the OnlyFans service: the government boasts about taxes, yet the activity remains criminalized, driving people to emigrate.
"Just like Danylo Hetmantsev cheerfully reports that OnlyFans creators have increased budget revenues, while the whole thing is criminalized by other idiotic laws. As a result, OnlyFans creators have collectively moved to warm, beautiful countries," Romanenko concluded.
