Findings from the Sociopolis Survey
A recent survey conducted by the sociological firm Sociopolis between September 16 and 21, 2026, reveals the current presidential race standings ahead of Ukraine’s anticipated elections in late September 2026. Among the candidates, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and Petro Poroshenko enjoy the strongest support. The poll also includes projections for a potential runoff election and details on the survey’s methodology.
The study was carried out using CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers. The target demographic comprised Ukrainian residents aged 18 and older, excluding residents of Crimea, Sevastopol, selected districts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, and other temporarily occupied territories. Ukrainians living abroad were not part of the sample. The total number of respondents was 1,002, with a margin of error not exceeding 3.1% for proportions near 50%, ensuring a high level of representativeness.
Candidate Standings
If the presidential election were held in the latter half of September 2026, 19.1% of all respondents would vote for Volodymyr Zelensky, which rises to 23.0% among decided and likely voters. Valerii Zaluzhnyi closely follows with 19.0% overall and 22.9% among those determined to vote. Petro Poroshenko receives 8.9% of the total vote and 10.7% among decided voters. Other contenders, including:
- Kyrylo Budanov
- Andriy Biletsky
- Mykhailo Fedorov
- Dmytro Razumkov
- Oleksandr Usyk
- Yulia Tymoshenko
garner between 2.5% and 7.9% support. Meanwhile, 8.5% of respondents remain undecided, 7.2% would abstain from voting, and 1.2% indicated they would spoil their ballot.
Runoff simulations paint a competitive picture: in a head-to-head between Zaluzhnyi and Zelensky, Zaluzhnyi leads with 46.1% of all respondents compared to Zelensky’s 28.0%, and among those decided, 62.2% to 37.8%. Against Zelensky, Kyrylo Budanov also holds an advantage, with 35.6% overall to Zelensky’s 26.9%, and 57.0% versus 43.0% among decided voters. In a matchup between Zelensky and Mykhailo Fedorov, Fedorov slightly edges Zelensky with 33.6% compared to 31.7% of all respondents, translating to 51.5% against 48.5% among the decided electorate.
Additionally, a separate August-September 2026 poll among readers of the news site 'Apostrophe' highlighted Petro Poroshenko as the most effective president, securing 22.7% of votes. Zelensky followed with 21.34%, while Leonid Kuchma received 9.61%. Viktor Yushchenko obtained 6.24%, and 5.88% of participants were unsure.
These survey results indicate notable shifts within Ukraine’s political landscape, reflecting evolving voter preferences as the 2026 presidential election approaches.
The Sociopolis poll underscores growing competition among candidates and signals potential changes in electoral dynamics. While the sample excludes certain regions and populations, limiting the full scope of public opinion, these findings provide valuable insights that could shape campaign strategies. With the election drawing near, further polling efforts will be crucial to tracking shifts in voter sentiment across Ukraine.
As the presidential race intensifies, it's crucial to examine the broader political landscape influencing these candidates. Recent findings from another poll highlights the leading parties supporting Zaluzhnyi, Zelensky, Poroshenko, and Biletskyi, providing valuable context for understanding voter preferences ahead of the election.