Celebrating the Ukrainian way: The 12 dishes of Christmas
Here's a look at the 12 types of dishes found at Ukrainian tables around the world on Christmas Eve.
Explaining Ukraine - Page 4
The world has yet to hear Ukraine’s complete story. With “Explaining Ukraine,” the Kyiv Independent is illuminating its path.
Animation by dukhovne lychko
Kyiv Cake: The legendary sweet of Ukraine's capital
There’s nothing sweeter than home, unless you’re a Kyivan — because then you have Kyiv Cake.
Who are the Crimean Tatars?
Crimean Tatars are one of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples who have been central to Crimea’s history for many centuries.
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.
Borsch, a Ukrainian staple, explained
Ukrainians have been eating and adapting a dish known as borsch for at least 1,200 years.
The origins of 'Slava Ukraini'
The words are part of a more than century-old slogan deeply tied to Ukrainian identity.
Everything you didn’t know about Ukraine’s flag
Though the flag’s two colors were banned at various points in history, they reemerged during national revivals and after Ukraine gained independence.
Viktor Yanukovych: Ukraine’s scandal-ridden ex-president
The pro-Russian ex-president was stripped of the title of President of Ukraine in 2015.
The origins of the 2014 war in Donbas
While the Kremlin openly boasted of its annexation of Crimea, it tried to conceal its involvement in the war in Donbas for years.
Kyivan Rus, then and now
The origins of Rus and the foundation of Kyivan Rus have sparked a centuries-long debate that continues to this day.
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
