President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s popularity has fallen again versus his two military rivals, according to a new survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), as corruption scandals, a Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy system and faltering progress on the battlefield weigh on his image.

The nationwide poll, conducted between January 9 and 14, shows that former Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and ex-military intelligence chief, but now Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, now hold the highest trust levels among prominent public figures, at 72% and 70%, respectively.

By contrast, President Zelenskiy — who has maintained high popularity since the Russian invasion — is now trusted by 62% of Ukrainians, according to KIIS data published on January 15.

The new poll represents a setback for Zelenskiy as Budanov overtakes him and pushes him into third place. In the last KIIS poll in July last year the respective popularity of Zaluzhnyi, Budanov and Zelenskiy was 73%, 56%, and 67%.

After Zelenskiy’s former head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak, was forced to resign on November 28 in connection with the Energoatom corruption scandal Zelenskiy appointed Budanov to his job in a move some commentators believe was designed to clip his political ambitions. However, Budanov, a highly competent military intelligence officer, has seen his popularity rise since.

“The survey results show that the level of trust in conventionally ‘old’ politicians is low and there is an obvious demand for a new generation of leaders (‘new’ faces) who have proven themselves well during a full-scale war,” said Anton Hrushetsky, Executive Director of KIIS, Interfax reports.

Among civilian leaders, Zelenskiy remains the most trusted, followed by Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov (44%), volunteer and public figure Serhiy Prytula (46%), and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov (38%). While all three trail military figures, their relative youth and wartime contributions appear to have earned public confidence. Prytula’s trust balance stands at +5%, with 41% expressing distrust, while Fedorov and Terekhov score higher at +12% and +21%, respectively.

“Figures like Terekhov, Fedorov, and Prytula represent a ‘new’ generation who have gained credibility during wartime — through local governance, technological innovation, or civil society mobilisation,” Hrushetsky said. “This differentiates them from older political elites, many of whom now face high levels of distrust.”

The polling data is important as if a ceasefire deal currently under discussion is closed then fresh presidential elections will be called soon afterwards.

Trust levels for other politicians remain largely negative. Opposition MP Oleksiy Honcharenko is trusted by just 22%, with a trust-distrust balance of –32%. Former speaker Dmytro Razumkov, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko hold slightly better ratings, with balances ranging from –12% to –19% — though KIIS notes many respondents remain unfamiliar with them, indicating some potential for growth.

In contrast, all senior military figures included in the survey enjoy positive trust balances. Beyond Zaluzhnyi and Budanov (both +51%), Andriy Biletsky, founder of the Azov Regiment, is trusted by 45% of respondents, with a balance of +32% — despite 32% of respondents not recognising him, even with a prompt. General Oleksandr Syrsky, recently appointed Commander of the Ground Forces, holds a narrower positive balance of +6%.

The KIIS poll surveyed 601 adults across government-controlled areas of Ukraine using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Respondents included internally displaced persons but excluded residents of occupied territories and Ukrainians living abroad.

“Military leaders have emerged not only as battlefield figures, but as potential political contenders,” Hrushetsky concluded. “That two generals now surpass the sitting president in public trust reflects a wider societal demand to see successful wartime leaders at the helm of the post-war state.”