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In 988, Prince Volodymyr the Great decided to unite his state and strengthen it. He converted to Christianity in Byzantium and baptized the people of Kyivans in the Dnieper. Thus, Christianity began to spread in Kievan Rus. It became the basis of culture, education, and writing, and also strengthened ties with Europe. This was one of the most important events in the history of Ukraine.
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In 1037, Prince Yaroslav the Wise built St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, a majestic temple that became the center of the spiritual and cultural life of Rus'.
The cathedral was decorated with mosaics and frescoes, and the image of Oranta was preserved. Books were copied here, children studied, and a library operated. St. Sophia Cathedral symbolized the power and development of the state and is still one of the main shrines of Ukraine. -
In 1240, the troops of the Mongol Khan Batu attacked Kyiv. The city defended itself bravely, but after a long siege, the Mongols breached the walls. Kyiv was almost completely destroyed, many of its inhabitants were killed or captured. The fall of Kyiv was a heavy blow to all of Russia and marked the beginning of the long Mongol rule over the Ukrainian lands.
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In 1648–1657, under the leadership of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the Ukrainian Cossacks began a struggle against Polish rule. They sought to protect their rights, faith, and lands. The Cossacks won several major victories and created their own state, the Hetmanate. This war was an important step in the formation of the Ukrainian nation and the pursuit of independence.
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In 1709, a decisive battle took place near Poltava between the Swedish army of Charles XII, supported by Hetman Ivan Mazepa, and the army of the Russian Tsar Peter I. Mazepa sought to free Ukraine from Russian control. However, the Russian army won the battle. The defeat destroyed Mazepa's plans for independence and strengthened Russian influence on Ukrainian lands.
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In 1917–1921, Ukraine struggled to create its own state. After the fall of the Russian Empire, the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) was proclaimed. Ukrainians sought independence, but were forced to fight against the Bolsheviks, White Guards, and other forces. Despite heroic efforts,The UNR was unable to maintain its independence, but this period was an important step in the formation of Ukrainian statehood.
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In 1932–1933, Ukraine experienced the Holodomor, an artificial famine created by the Soviet government. Peasants were forcibly taken away from them almost all their grain and food, and were forbidden to leave their villages. People died en masse from hunger, and in some regions entire settlements died out. Millions of Ukrainians died.
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In 1941, Nazi Germany attacked the USSR, and fighting spread to Ukraine. Many cities were occupied, people were subjected to brutality and forced labor. Ukrainians fought in The Red Army, in partisan units and the underground. In 1943–1944, the liberation of Ukrainian lands from the Nazis began. The war caused enormous destruction and millions of victims, but Ukraine was liberated from occupation.
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The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident occurred on April 26, 1986, during a night experiment at Unit 4. At 1:23 a.m., two explosions occurred, completely destroying the reactor and causing a significant release of radiation. Firefighters arrived very quickly and began extinguishing the flames, unaware of the lethal level of radiation. The evacuation of Pripyat residents began the next day. -
Ukraine became independent on September 24, 1991. After the collapse of the USSR, the Ukrainian parliament praised the Act of Proclamation of Independence. The people supported the decision at the All-Ukrainian referendum on January 1, 1991. Thus, Ukraine became an independent power, which determines its own way and laws. -
In 2014, Ukrainians took to the Maidan against injustice and for a European path of development. This was called the Revolution of Dignity. After the protests won, Russia occupied Crimea and began a war in eastern Ukraine, supporting militants in the Donbas. This marked the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which continues to this day. These events were a turning point for the entire country.
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In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacking many cities with missiles and tanks. Ukrainians courageously stood up for their country - the Armed Forces, volunteers and civilians united in a united resistance. The world supported Ukraine with weapons and aid. Despite heavy fighting and losses, Ukraine was able to stop the enemy and continues to fight for its freedom and independence.