Ukraine’s lands have been inhabited for thousands of years. In the 9th century, Kyiv became the center of Kyivan Rus, one of the most powerful states in medieval Europe. This is considered the birthplace of Slavic culture and Orthodox Christianity.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, much of Ukraine came under the Russian Empire. Later, in 1922, Ukraine became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union (USSR). During this time, Ukrainians experienced devastating events like the Holodomor, a man-made famine in the 1930s that killed millions, and widespread repression.
On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, just north of Kyiv, exploded—causing one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. The nearby city of Pripyat was evacuated and remains a haunting, frozen-in-time site that visitors can now safely tour.
Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. But the journey toward democracy and Western integration was not easy.
In 2013–2014, Ukrainians took to the streets during the Euromaidan protests, demanding closer ties to the European Union and an end to corruption. The peaceful protests turned violent, but ultimately led to a change in leadership and a renewed national spirit.
You can visit Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) in Kyiv to stand where history was made.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What followed was a display of incredible Ukrainian resistance and global solidarity. Cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol were attacked, and millions were displaced.
Today, parts of Ukraine are rebuilding, and stories of survival and resilience are everywhere. Once it’s safe, visiting Ukraine will be a way to connect with history—and show support by simply being there.
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