Residents of Ukraine have shared their opinions on who should be considered a collaborator among citizens in the temporarily occupied regions and what punishment should be imposed on them. The findings of a recent survey conducted by the “Rating” group of sociologists shed light on the attitudes towards collaboration with the occupiers.
The occupation of parts of Ukraine by Russian-backed forces has been ongoing for over seven years, causing immense suffering and displacement for the local population. Amidst this conflict, the issue of collaboration with the occupiers has been a highly debated and controversial topic. The survey conducted by “Rating” aimed to understand the perceptions of Ukrainian citizens on this matter.
According to the survey, the majority of Ukrainians (63%) believe that anyone who voluntarily cooperates with the occupiers should be considered a collaborator. This includes individuals who provide information, resources, or any kind of support to the occupying forces. On the other hand, 29% of respondents stated that only those who actively collaborate with the occupiers, such as joining their ranks or participating in their activities, should be considered collaborators.
The results of the survey also shed light on the types of interaction with the occupiers that are perceived as collaboration by Ukrainians. The majority (58%) believe that providing any kind of support, including financial or material, to the occupiers is an act of collaboration. Other forms of interaction that are considered collaboration include participating in their propaganda efforts (52%), working for the occupiers (50%), and engaging in any kind of trade or business with them (48%).
Interestingly, the survey also revealed that 68% of Ukrainians believe that collaboration with the occupiers should be punished. When asked about the appropriate punishment, the majority (58%) stated that collaborators should be held accountable through the justice system, while 23% believe that they should be socially ostracized. Only 8% of respondents believe that collaborators should not be punished at all.
The opinions on collaboration and its punishment vary among different regions of Ukraine. The highest percentage of respondents who consider collaboration as a punishable act was found in the western regions (79%), while the lowest was in the eastern regions (56%). This can be attributed to the fact that the eastern regions have been more affected by the conflict and have a higher presence of pro-Russian sentiments.
The survey also revealed interesting differences in the opinions of different age groups. The older generation (55+) is more likely to consider any kind of interaction with the occupiers as collaboration, while the younger generation (18-34) is more likely to believe that only active collaboration should be punished.
The findings of this survey highlight the strong stance of Ukrainians against collaboration with the occupiers. It is evident that the majority of Ukrainians view collaboration as a betrayal of their country and believe that it should be punished. This reflects the deep-rooted patriotism and unity among the Ukrainian people in the face of the ongoing conflict.
The issue of collaboration with the occupiers is a sensitive and complex one. While it is important to hold collaborators accountable, it is also crucial to have a fair and just justice system that ensures the rights of all individuals, even those who have collaborated with the occupiers. As Ukraine continues to strive towards peace and stability, it is important to address this issue and find ways to prevent collaboration in the future.
In conclusion, the survey conducted by “Rating” has provided valuable insights into the perceptions of Ukrainians on collaboration with the occupiers. It is evident that the majority of Ukrainians view collaboration as a punishable act and believe that anyone who willingly cooperates with the occupiers should be held accountable. This survey serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity.
