-
Ukraine declares independence: Ukrainian People's Republic set up. Numerous rival governments vie for control for some or all of Ukraine during ensuing civil war.
-
Approximately 7 million peasants perish in man-made famine during Stalin's collectivisation campaign.
-
Ukraine suffers terrible wartime devastation as Nazis occupy the country until 1944. More than 5 million Ukrainians die fighting Nazi Germany. Most of Ukraine's 1.5 million Jews wiped out by the Nazis.
-
Stalin deports 200,000 Crimean Tatars to Siberia and Central Asia following accusations of collaboration with Nazi Germany.
-
A reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power station explodes, sending a radioactive plume across Europe. Desperate efforts are made to contain the damaged reactor within a huge concrete cover. Many armed forces personnel die of radiation sickness.
-
About 250,000 Crimean Tatars and their descendants return to Crimea following collapse of Soviet Union.
-
Ukraine declares independence following attempted coup in Moscow: 90% vote for independence in nationwide referendum in December.
-
New, democratic constitution adopted. New currency, the hryvna, introduced.
-
Chernobyl nuclear power plant is shut down, 14 years after the accident. Well over ten thousand people have died as a direct result of the explosion, the health of millions more has been affected.
