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Explaining Ukraine

There is a lot of misinformation about Ukraine out there. The Kyiv Independent wants to set the record straight, which is why we’re launching our “Explaining Ukraine” section. The articles featured here explain Ukrainian historical and cultural events and figures in order to help the world understand Ukraine better.
Chornobyl nuclear disaster

Chornobyl nuclear disaster

The Chornobyl nuclear accident occurred on April 26, 1986, at around 1 a.m. when one of the plant’s nuclear reactors exploded during a planned test. The explosion forever marred the surrounding environment and contaminated a 150,000-square-kilometer swath of land in the nexus between Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea

Russia’s annexation of Crimea

Russia invaded Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in February 2014 amid the deadliest days of the EuroMaidan Revolution that eventually ousted pro-Russian ex-President Viktor Yanukovych. While Yanukovych's pro-Russian regime was murdering protesters in downtown Kyiv, around 30,000 Russian troops crossed into Crimea, taking hold of the peninsula by early March 2014.

Ukraine’s struggle for independence

Ukraine’s struggle for independence

On a cold day in 1918, a young student battalion began digging trenches to fortify their positions near Kyiv. They were filled with dreams of independent Ukraine and stood up to another of Russia’s attempts to subjugate their land. As about 5,000 Bolshevik troops came to seize Kyiv,

Vyshyvanka, Ukraine's traditional embroidered shirt

Vyshyvanka, Ukraine's traditional embroidered shirt

Vyshyvanka, the Ukrainian word for a traditionally styled embroidered shirt or dress, is the central feature of Ukraine’s national clothing. The shirts are traditionally made of linen and the designs are often ornate and colorful and represent features of Ukraine’s landscape or cultural values. In the past, vyshyvankas

Ukraine's Orange Revolution

Ukraine's Orange Revolution

Ukraine’s Orange Revolution was a series of protests, held mostly in Kyiv, that lasted from November 2004 to January 2005 as a response to election fraud. After reports that the results of the Nov. 21, 2004, presidential election run-off between ex-Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko and then Prime Minister Viktor

EuroMaidan Revolution

EuroMaidan Revolution

The EuroMaidan Revolution is often credited with being the single most consequential event in Ukraine's modern history. After pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych took power in 2010, the political and business landscape in Ukraine was gradually deteriorating. In November 2013, Yanukovych refused to sign the long-awaited Association Agreement with the European

Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky entered the international spotlight as the war-time president of Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022. Before becoming president, he was already famous as a comedic actor and businessman. Zelensky, 44, grew up in a Jewish family — he is the only son of a

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