Why Ukraine doesn't have nuclear weapons
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself the inheritor of the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal.
Explaining Ukraine - Page 3
The world has yet to hear Ukraine’s complete story. With “Explaining Ukraine,” the Kyiv Independent is illuminating its path.
Animation by dukhovne lychko
Who is Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine?
Volodymyr Zelensky, a former comedian and businessman, rose to global prominence as Ukraine’s wartime president after Feb. 24, 2022.
The downing of MH17, and Russia’s responsibility
At best, Russia denied responsibility for the crime — at worst, it spread disinformation blaming Ukraine for the downing.
Ukraine’s struggle for independence
Ukraine’s long fight for sovereignty — from the 1918 Battle of Kruty to today — reveals a nation’s enduring quest for freedom.
Ivana Kupala, Ukraine’s midsummer festival
Rooted in pagan tradition, the holiday honors fire, water, and plants through rituals for purification, protection, and harvest.
10 authors shaping contemporary Ukrainian literature
The Kyiv Independent put together a list of 10 celebrated Ukrainian writers, some of whose works are available in English translation.
Pereiaslav, the treaty that started modern Russo-Ukrainian history
Pereiaslav's impact has rippled through centuries, representing a very different legacy for both Ukraine and Russia.
The recipe behind Ukraine’s beloved food chain Puzata Khata
Puzata Khata emerged from Soviet canteen culture, blending it with homestyle Ukrainian cuisine that resonates across generations.
Who were the Ukrainian Cossacks?
It's widely believed that Ukrainian Cossacks were formed from a diverse mix of East Slavic free peasants, escaped serfs, and even nobles.
Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian poet and national hero
Shevchenko’s enduring presence across Ukraine underscores that at the heart of modern Ukrainian identity lies a poet.
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
Ukraine is interesting not only for its heroic actions, but also for its history, culture, and identity.
What is the Explaining Ukraine project?
The world is full of distorted versions of Ukrainian history. The Kyiv Independent wanted to make sure readers had a reliable source of information about important Ukrainian historical events, figures, and cultural traditions.
The articles featured here are thorough and detailed pieces that span centuries to the current day and include topics from Ukraine’s presidents to the country’s culinary traditions.
The Hidden Canon:
Discover Ukrainian literary classics
“The Hidden Canon: Ukraine's Literary Iconoclasts,” a Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute, unveils bold Ukrainian classics long hidden from international readers. These writers defied censorship, reimagined cultural identity, and pushed the boundaries of art itself — showing that Ukrainian literature is a daring, vital, and unforgettable part of the global literary canon.
Learn moreEditors' Picks
Explainer: How a corruption scandal and loyalty to Zelensky brought down Ukraine’s prosecutor general
Explainer: What's behind the standoff between Ukraine's two intelligence agencies?
'Hanging by a thread' — Kyiv under psychological siege amid ceaseless strikes
