jfid – Ukraine, a country situated between Eastern Europe and Russia, is often referred to as the “breadbasket of Europe” due to its fertility. However, behind its natural wealth, Ukraine also has a long and complex history, filled with conflicts, colonization, and upheavals.
Since the Middle Ages, Ukraine has been a battleground for various nations and empires, ranging from the Vikings, Mongols, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ottoman, Sweden, France, Austria, Germany, Romania, to Czechoslovakia. Some of them stayed longer than others, leaving behind diverse traces of culture, language, religion, and politics.
Ukraine itself never truly gained independence until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, although there were periods of semi-autonomy under the Cossack rule, a group of warriors and adventurers native to the region. Ukraine has also experienced division and reunification several times due to differences between its eastern and western regions, which are closer to Russia or Europe.
The name “Ukraine” itself means “borderland” or “at the border” (of a country or empire), and its national anthem declares, “Ukraine has not yet perished.” This expression depicts the spirit of struggle and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to hope for peaceful and prosperous lives in their homeland.
However, those hopes seem distant from reality. Ukraine is currently facing a new threat from its neighbor, Russia, which seeks to regain influence in the former Soviet territories.
Since 2014, Russia has annexed Crimea, a strategic peninsula in the Black Sea, and supported separatist rebels in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. This conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives and triggered a humanitarian crisis.
How did Ukraine reach this point? To answer that, we need to look back at the long history of Ukrainian conflict, from the time of Kievan Rus to Napoleon. Here is a summary:
Kievan Rus (9th to 13th centuries): This kingdom was founded by Viking tribes from Scandinavia and expanded to include territories that now constitute Ukraine, Belarus, and parts of Russia.
It was the first major civilization in Eastern Europe, with trade and cultural ties to Byzantium, Rome, and the Islamic world. Kiev, the current capital of Ukraine, was the political and religious center of this kingdom. Modern Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian peoples all claim descent from Kievan Rus.
Mongol invasion (13th to 15th centuries): Mongol forces led by Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, invaded Europe and destroyed Kievan Rus. Much of Ukraine and Russia then fell under the rule of the Golden Horde, a part of the vast Mongol Empire.
Mongol influence impacted the culture, language, religion, and politics of the region. Some Russian princes, like Ivan III of Moscow, managed to break free from Mongol rule and establish their own kingdoms, which later became the precursor to the Russian Empire.
Lithuania and Poland (14th to 18th centuries): In response to the Mongol and Russian threats, some Ukrainian princes allied with Lithuania, a powerful state in Europe at the time.
Lithuania later merged with Poland, forming the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which controlled much of Ukrainian territory.
Under this rule, Ukraine experienced cultural, economic, and educational developments, particularly among the nobility and clergy. However, many commoners suffered due to the feudal system and religious discrimination, especially against Orthodox Christians, the majority in Ukraine.
Cossack uprising (16th to 18th centuries): The Cossacks were a group of warriors and adventurers from Ukraine who lived on the borderlands and were free from feudal authority. They had a tradition of military prowess, democracy, and tolerance, often fighting against Turkish, Tatar, and Russian forces.
In the 17th century, they rebelled against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which oppressed their rights. They established a semi-autonomous state called the Hetmanate, which inspired Ukrainian nationalism in the future. However, they were also involved in massacring Jews, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.
Partitioned (17th to 18th centuries): Without consulting the Cossacks, Russia and Poland-Lithuania signed agreements dividing Ukraine between them, with the Dnieper River as the boundary.
Russia gained the eastern territories, which were predominantly Orthodox, while Poland gained the western territories, which were predominantly Catholic. This division deepened the differences between the two parts of Ukraine, which continue to this day.
Russian Empire (18th to 20th centuries): In the 18th century, Russia became a major power in Europe after defeating Sweden, Turkey, and Poland in various wars.
Russia annexed most of Ukraine, including Crimea, which had strategic access to the Black Sea. Russia also suppressed Ukrainian culture and language, attempting to “Russify” the region. Many Ukrainians participated in nationalist and revolutionary movements, opposing both tsarist and later communist rule.
Napoleon’s invasion (19th century): In 1812, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte launched a massive invasion of Russia, crossing through Ukrainian territory with his forces. Napoleon received support from some Cossack leaders who hoped for independence from Russia.
However, Napoleon’s invasion failed due to extreme weather, poor planning, and staunch Russian resistance. Napoleon’s failure strengthened Russia’s position as a major power in Europe and ended the Cossack’s hopes for independence.
