Toward Ukrainian and Away From Russian: Language Attitudes and Self-Reported Language Behavior of Ukrainian Youth in the Context of the Russian-Ukrainian War.

This article analyzes changes in the language attitudes and self-reported language behavior of young Ukrainians during the Russian-Ukrainian War, focusing on shifts between Russian and Ukrainian languages. Based on language biographies and interviews collected since the full-scale invasion in 2022, the study finds that many young people have intensified their use of Ukrainian as a form of resistance to Russian aggression, national identification, and adaptation to predominantly Ukrainian-speaking environments. While some Russian-speaking youth continue to use Russian and resist switching, a significant number are increasing their use of Ukrainian in daily life and online, influenced by social networks, migration, and family dynamics. The article also compares these recent changes with those following the 2014 conflict, noting that the current linguistic shift is more pronounced due to the stronger association of Russian with the enemy and heightened national identity among youth.