WAR AS A FACTOR OF TRANSFORMATION IN PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS OF UKRAINIANS

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify transformations in the public consciousness
of Ukrainians caused by Russian aggression, primarily its impact on their awareness of their
own identity, the components of which are historical memory, self-definition in relation to
one's own country and people, relations with other peoples and countries, basic values, on
which social life is based.
Methodology. An idea about the nature and depth of these transformations can be
based on the analysis of empirical data, including the content of mass media and social
networks. However, the most relevant in this sense are the data of sociological studies,
which allow us to see the mentioned processes in dynamics, and therefore to draw
conclusions about the presence of certain trends and formulate certain forecasts based on
them. The article analyzes the results of sociological research conducted in August -
September 2022 by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, the sociological service of the
Razumkov Center, and the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
Results. They witnessed significant changes in the attitude of Ukrainians, in particular,
to the historical past, iconic historical figures and recently influential non-state institutions.
On a number of issues, traditional differences in assessments between residents of central
and western Ukraine, on the one hand, and eastern and southern Ukraine, on the other,
are observed. At the same time, the factors contributing to the unification of Ukrainian
citizens around common values, such as state independence, Ukrainian citizenship, and the
native country as a place where a person sees his future, have been identified. A certain
consensus was also found regarding who is responsible for the war waged against Ukraine,
and the nature of future relations with Russia and the Russian people