March 2025

Hey guys! Good to see you again. It is always a pleasure for me to bring to you backstories of International events with prejudice or bias of any kind and to make them simple enough for your understanding. But my biggest thanks is to you for always turning up to read everytime a new post is made. In the previous post, which concluded the series on the Israel-Palestine Crisis, we explored the History Of Ceasefires In The Hamas, Israel Crisis.  Now, it is time to catch up with the moving train of the Russia-Ukraine war from the early days of the Kievan Rus’—a medieval powerhouse rooted in Kyiv—to the turbulent eras of Mongol invasions, Polish-Lithuanian rule, and Cossack revolts. This post will trace the origin of both Russia and Ukraine from the early years down to the USSR era, the Pre and Post Independent era of both countries and the beginning of animosity between both nations. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Ciao. THE GENESIS (9TH – 18TH CENTURY) Kievan Rus’ (9th – 13th Century) – The Kievan Rus’ was the first major East Slavic state, centered around Kyiv, which is now the capital of Ukraine. Established in the 9th century, this medieval state quickly rose to prominence as one of the most powerful entities in Europe. Its ruling dynasty was founded by the Varangians, or Vikings, who established trade routes and fostered connections between Scandinavia, Byzantium, and the Islamic Caliphates. One of the most transformative moments in Kievan Rus’ history occurred in 988 when Prince Volodymyr the Great (known as Vladimir I of Kyiv) embraced Orthodox Christianity and declared it the state religion. This pivotal event brought the state under the cultural and religious influence of the Byzantine Empire, laying the foundations of Orthodox Christian tradition in the region. Modern Ukrainians view Kievan Rus’ as the origin of their nation, emphasizing Kyiv’s centrality in the state. Russians, on the other hand, consider it the birthplace of Russia, claiming historical continuity through Moscow’s rise. This dual claim is a major source of cultural tension between the two nations. Mongol Invasion & Rise of Moscow (13th – 17th Century) – In 1240, the Mongol invasion devastated Kyiv, leading to the fragmentation of the Kievan Rus’. The Mongols, under Batu Khan, established dominance over much of the region, forcing various principalities to pay tribute and weakening centralized rule. While Kyiv’s power diminished, Moscow—a relatively minor principality—began to rise in influence under Mongol suzerainty. Over the following centuries, Moscow grew stronger, ultimately defeating the Mongols at the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. By the 15th century, Moscow had emerged as a dominant state, unifying surrounding territories and becoming the spiritual and political successor to the Kievan Rus’, at least in the eyes of Russian rulers. Polish-Lithuanian Rule & Cossack Ukraine (16th – 17th Century) – While Moscow consolidated its power, much of western and central Ukraine fell under the control of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. During this period, Ukrainians faced significant cultural and religious pressures as the Catholic Polish rulers sought to impose their influence on the predominantly Orthodox population. In response, the Cossacks—semi-autonomous warrior groups who lived in the steppes of Ukraine—emerged as defenders of Ukrainian identity. Bohdan Khmelnytsky, a Cossack leader, led a major uprising against Polish rule in the mid-17th century. This rebellion culminated in the Pereiaslav Agreement of 1654, where Khmelnytsky sought military support from Moscow. While initially envisioned as a strategic alliance, Moscow used the agreement to assert control over Ukraine, sowing the seeds of future domination. Russian Empire & Suppression of Ukrainian Identity (18th – 19th Century) – By the late 18th century, Catherine the Great fully absorbed Ukraine into the Russian Empire following the partitions of Poland and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. This marked the complete loss of Ukrainian autonomy. Under Russian imperial rule, Ukrainian culture, language, and national identity were systematically suppressed. Policies of “Russification” were enforced, aiming to assimilate Ukrainians into Russian culture. Ukrainian publications were banned, and the use of the Ukrainian language in schools and churches was heavily restricted. Despite this, Ukrainian intellectuals and nationalists worked covertly to preserve their heritage, laying the groundwork for future independence movements. SOVIET UNION ERA (1917 – 1991) Russian Revolution & Soviet Takeover (1917–1922) – The Russian Revolution of 1917 created an opportunity for Ukraine to assert its independence. In 1918, the Ukrainian People’s Republic was declared, but this independence was short-lived. The Red Army invaded, and by 1922, Ukraine was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Despite promises of autonomy, Ukraine was tightly controlled by the Soviet government, which prioritized centralization and communist ideology over regional independence. The Holodomor (1932–1933): Stalin’s Genocide of Ukrainians – One of the darkest chapters in Ukraine’s history under Soviet rule was the Holodomor, a man-made famine orchestrated by Joseph Stalin’s regime. As part of Stalin’s policy of forced collectivization, Ukrainian farmers were stripped of their grain to meet export quotas and support industrialization efforts elsewhere in the USSR. This policy led to a catastrophic famine, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 3 to 5 million Ukrainians. The Holodomor is widely regarded as an act of genocide, as it targeted Ukraine’s rural population—seen as a threat to Soviet control. Russia continues to deny this characterization, fueling modern-day tensions. World War II & Post-War Soviet Control (1941–1991) – During World War II, Ukraine became a battleground for one of the war’s fiercest conflicts. Nazi Germany invaded Ukraine in 1941, occupying the region until 1944. While some Ukrainians collaborated with the Nazis, hoping to gain independence from the Soviet Union, many others resisted German occupation. The aftermath of the war saw harsh reprisals from the Soviet government against Ukrainian nationalists and resistance fighters. In the decades following WWII, Ukraine remained under strict Soviet control. Efforts to suppress Ukrainian nationalism continued, but a cultural revival began in the 1960s, driven by dissidents and intellectuals. This period, known as the “Shistdesiatnyky” or “Sixtiers,” marked the