Our history is a unique experience of the creation and improvement of the state, which began in the days of Kyivan Rus and continues to this day. Throughout the entire period from century to century, the heroes continuously opposed the main enemy, which tries to destroy Ukrainian identity - Russia. The grand princes, brave hetmans together with cossacks, Ukrainian intelligentsia, rebels, and liberal political movements were fighting for statehood and independence. Download the first “Past” chapter of KYIV RYSING report to be familiar with Ukrainian rich history and its impact on present times.
The history of Ukraine begins with Kyivan Rus, one of the biggest states in Europe during the 9th and 13th centuries, with Kyiv as its capital. Long after Kyivan Rus’ collapsed, Ukraine was without its own state while the Grand Duchy of Moscow expanded on its own and harboured aspirations to rebuild Rus’ under its influence. Beginning with the Cossack era in the 17th century, when Bohdan Khmelnytskyi liberated the Cossack uprising, Russia attempted to eliminate Ukrainian identity. Despite being long suppressed, the Ukrainian people’s sense of nationalism has endured and is still present today.
Ukrainians officially achieved their liberty and sovereignty on the primary national holiday in present Ukraine - Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 24 in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence of 1991. Since that time and until now, Ukrainians have openly oriented toward a democratic world and moved strongly ahead toward a pro-European future, developing freedom of speech and choice, which still do not fit Russia’s plans.