When Ukraine was born: 20 facts about the state that destroy russian propaganda

Ukraine has a long history, which is often distorted by Russian propaganda. Read more about 20 facts that refute Russian myths and confirm Ukraine's thousand-year history

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Ukraine is a country with a long history and deep traditions of statehood, which russian propaganda tries to distort or deny. However, historical facts prove that the Ukrainian nation was formed long before the emergence of modern russia and has always fought for its independence.

Let's look at the key facts that refute common myths and demonstrate the true path of Ukrainian statehood.

Rus: the origins of Ukrainian statehood

In the ninth century, the state of Rus, with its centre in Kyiv, emerged on the territory of modern Ukraine.

This disproves the myth that Ukrainian statehood is a late development. Rus was the political and cultural centre of the Eastern Slavs, and Kyiv played a key role in its development.

The myth of ‘brotherly peoples’

Russian propaganda often claims that Ukrainians and russians are ‘brotherly’.

In fact, after the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, the development paths of these peoples diverged. The Ukrainian lands integrated into the European context, developing democratic traditions and self-government, while the moscow principality was under the influence of the Golden Horde.

Ukrainian language: separate development

The Ukrainian language has developed independently and is not a dialect of russian.

It was formed on the basis of the Old Russian language, but was influenced by various cultures, including Polish and Lithuanian, which distinguishes it from russian.

Cossacks: a symbol of freedom

The Zaporizhzhia Cossacks were the bearers of democratic traditions and self-government.

The russian empire attempted to destroy the Cossacks by liquidating the Zaporozhian Sich in 1775 to strengthen its control over Ukrainian lands.

The myth of ‘novorossiya’

The term ‘novorossiya’ was coined by the russian empire after it seized southern Ukrainian lands in the 18th century.

It was an attempt to erase the Ukrainian identity of these territories, although they had a long history linked to Kyivan Rus and the Cossacks.

Ukraine was not created by Lenin

Russian propaganda claims that Ukraine was created by Lenin.

In fact, the Ukrainian national movement existed long before that. The Ukrainian People's Republic declared independence in 1918, even before the formation of the USSR.

National symbols: deep roots

The Ukrainian trident originates from the sign of Prince Volodymyr the Great and has a history of more than a thousand years.

This refutes claims that it is ‘new’ or borrowed.

Kyiv is the centre of Orthodoxy

The baptism of Rus took place in Kyiv in 988 under Prince Volodymyr.

This makes Kyiv the cradle of the Orthodox tradition for Eastern Slavs, not moscow, which was founded later.

The myth of the ‘common cradle’ of three nations

Russian propaganda claims that Ukrainians, russians and Belarusians are descended from a single old russian people.

However, the ethnogenesis of these peoples has its own peculiarities, and they were formed as separate nations with their own languages and cultures.

Ukrainian culture: identity and influence

Ukrainian culture has deep roots and has influenced neighbouring nations.

For example, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, founded in 1632, was one of the leading educational centres in Eastern Europe.

The myth of the ‘little russians’

The term ‘little russia’ was introduced by the russian authorities to denigrate Ukrainian identity.

Ukrainians have always had their own self-designation - ‘Ukrainians’ or ‘Rusyns’.

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Ukrainian language: bans and persecution

The russian empire repeatedly banned the Ukrainian language, including the Valuev Circular of 1863 and the Ems Decree of 1876, in an attempt to destroy Ukrainian identity.

Cossack state: The Hetmanate

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, there was a Cossack state on the Left Bank of Ukraine - the Hetmanate - which had its own government and administration.

The myth of ‘voluntary accession’ to russia

The Pereyaslav Council of 1654 was not an act of ‘voluntary accession’ of Ukraine to russia.

It was a military and political alliance, the terms of which were repeatedly violated by moscow.

The myth of the ‘primordial russian land’

Russian propaganda claims that Ukrainian lands have always belonged to russia.

In fact, the territory of modern Ukraine was part of various state entities - Kyivan Rus, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Ottoman Empire - and muscovy gained control over part of the Ukrainian lands only in the 17th century.

Therefore, the claim of ‘primordiality’ is manipulative and has no historical basis.

The Ukrainian Constitution: the first in Europe

In 1710, Pylyp Orlyk signed the Pacts and Constitution of the Rights and Freedoms of the Zaporozhian Army, one of the first constitutional acts in the world.

The document provided for the separation of powers and democratic principles of government, which proves that Ukrainians aspired to create a democratic state long before similar documents appeared in russia.

The struggle for independence in the twentieth century

After the defeat of the UPR, the struggle for independence continued even within the USSR. In the 1960s and 1980s, Ukrainian dissidents such as Vyacheslav Chornovil, Vasyl Stus, and Levko Lukyanenko fought for Ukrainian rights and state sovereignty. They were repressed, but laid the foundation for the independence gained in 1991.

The myth that Ukraine did not have its own statehood

Russian propaganda often claims that Ukraine never had its own statehood before 1991.

However, historical sources show that several state entities existed on the territory of Ukraine: Kyivan Rus, the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia, the Cossack State (Hetmanate), the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic (WUPR).

Ukrainians have always fought for their independence and defended their statehood traditions.

Ukrainian diplomacy in the world

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ukrainian People's Republic had official diplomatic missions in more than 20 countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland and the United States.

This demonstrates the international recognition of Ukraine as a sovereign state, despite the aggressive policy of soviet russia.

The UPR signed the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty in 1918, which became the first international document to recognise Ukraine's independence on the world stage.

The myth of the ‘impossibility’ of Ukrainian independence

Russian propaganda is trying to impose the idea that Ukraine is not capable of existing as an independent state.

However, over the three decades of independence, the country has shown resilience by developing its economy, culture, international relations and army. Events since 2014 have proven that Ukrainians are ready to fight for their country and have a strong national identity.

Ukraine in the modern world

Today, Ukraine is a sovereign state with a developed cultural, economic and military sphere.

Ukrainian is the official language and is recognised as one of the oldest languages in Europe.

Current events, including the struggle for territorial integrity, prove that Ukraine continues to defend its freedom and seeks integration into the European Union and NATO.

The myths of russian propaganda about the ‘failure’ of the Ukrainian state are shattered by the country's real achievements in technological, defence and cultural development.

Ukraine is a country with a long history, a strong national character and a relentless desire for freedom. The historical facts that destroy russian propaganda prove that the Ukrainian nation has existed, exists and will continue to exist regardless of any external influences.

Let us remind you! Ukraine has many fascinating and extraordinary places that have no analogues not only in Europe but also in the world. Read about unique places and amazing facts you didn't know about Ukraine here.

Photo: Getty Images

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