The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 dealt a severe blow to the educational and scientific aspirations of the young generation in our country. The destruction of universities, lack of essential equipment and reagents, power shortages, and disrupted communication between students and their academic mentors due to the adoption of distance learning have significantly hindered their pursuit of education and science. This study aims to analyze the motivational factors that drive students to engage in academic and scientific work during the ongoing wartime. Materials and methods. For this cross-sectional study, we gathered data from 75 respondents who were studying in higher educational institutions of Ukraine as of February 24, 2022 in the period from September to October 2022. Results. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, 36% of respondents reported a reduction in available time for educational activities, 18.67% of respondents noted a decrease in the time allocated to scientific work. An analysis of the respondents' involvement in scientific research during their study at higher education institutions revealed that 67% of respondents considered student scientific research to be an integral part of the educational environment. Prior to the war, key motivational factors for young women included seeking social approval from family or friends and pursuing rewards. For young men, it was challenging to pinpoint a singular most significant factor, but social approval from family or friends, personal satisfaction, and interest in research projects were notably prominent. With the onset of the war, among young women, the primary motivating factors that remained pivotal were an interest in science and the recognition of the value of their research outcomes. Among young men, a loss of distinct boundaries between motivational priorities for engaging in scientific work was observed. Conclusion. The ongoing war has brought about a substantial shift in how students perceive scientific work, leading to a discernible decrease in motivation among this demographic. This research serves as a valuable foundation for developing strategies aimed at bolstering motivation and encouraging active participation in scientific research among young individuals. Furthermore, it offers insights that can be instrumental in enhancing the quality of education at Ukrainian universities during times of conflict.