Analysts said that 76 percent of Kherson residents see no signs of recovery

In 2026, the Kherson region remains in survival mode rather than in a state of full-scale recovery.

This is stated in the analytical report “Kherson Region: The Path to Recovery,” prepared based on the results of 16 expert interviews and a survey of 406 people.

76.5% of respondents describe the current situation as one of survival. Only 6% believe the region is gradually recovering, and 0.6% see active development. At the same time, 88% assess the security situation as dangerous or very dangerous, and 83.7% cite security as one of the main obstacles to recovery.

Constant shelling, drone attacks, landmines, and the dangers of travel affect virtually every aspect of life—from the operation of hospitals and public utilities to evacuation, infrastructure repairs, business operations, and children’s education.

At the same time, the communities facing the greatest danger often have the most difficulty accessing aid. Due to the threat of drones and shelling, suppliers and contractors refuse to travel to dangerous areas or raise the cost of their services. The report specifically cites the example of the Chornobaivka community, where, for a particular project, suppliers demanded ten times the usual rate for their work due to constant shelling along the route.

Another problem is a shortage of people. 35.5% of survey respondents cited a lack of personnel and specialists as an obstacle to recovery. As the population leaves, communities lose workers, professional networks, and people capable of driving change. Those who remain often work under excessive strain and suffer from accumulated exhaustion.

The report’s authors emphasize that the Kherson region cannot be rebuilt according to a single scenario. For Kherson, coastal areas, and settlements under constant attack, the priorities remain protecting people, evacuation, and ensuring the continuity of critical services. In relatively safer communities, it is already possible to focus more on repairs, entrepreneurship, and development planning.

At the same time, the situation is not without hope. 55.4% of respondents remain optimistic about the future recovery of the Kherson region, although they describe the region’s current state as one of mere survival.

The report’s main conclusion is that it is currently more important for the region to retain its residents, specialists, critical services, and local teams, and to move toward large-scale recovery only after the security situation improves.

Андрій Колісніченко