Ukraine (Ukrainian: Украина; English: Ukraine) is located in eastern Europe, bordering Russia to the east, the Black Sea to the south, Belarus to the north, and Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova to the west. Ukraine is geographically important and is the geopolitical intersection between the European Union and the CIS, particularly with Russia.
Ukrainian origins
Ukraine's geographical location is important, the natural conditions are good, and it has historically been a place where soldiers and families must fight, and has suffered from war. The Ukrainian nation is a branch of the Ancient Rus, and the term "Ukraine" was first used in the Annals of Rus (1187). Historically, Ukraine was the core region of Kievan Rus' Andes.
Around the 10th century, East Slavic tribes united in the region of present-day Ukraine to form the Ancient Rus' tribes. In 862, East Slavs established the first Rus' kingdom, the Rurik dynasty, in Novgorod, and later occupied Kiev, establishing Kievan Rus'.
In the 1620s, the Mongols invaded Eastern Europe, making the Duchy of Vladimir-Suzdali a vassal state of the Golden Horde, before the Mongols advanced westward, capturing Kiev in 1240.
In the 12th and 14th centuries, due to feudal division, the Ancient Rus' tribe was gradually divided into three branches: Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. Kievan Rus' was occupied by the Mongol Golden Horde in the 13th century.
From about the 14th century onwards, Ukrainians began to break away from Ancient Rus and form a single people with a unique language, culture and living customs. From the 13th to the 15th century, Ukraine fought against the invasions of the Mongols, Germans and Ottoman Turks, and from the 14th century onwards was ruled by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland.
In the 17th and 19th centuries, the modern ukrainian nation was formed around kiev, Poltava and Chernigov in the middle reaches of the Dnieper River.
In 1654, the Ukrainian Cossack leader Khmelnytsky signed the Treaty of Pereyaslav with the Russian Tsar, inviting Tsarist Russia to rule eastern Ukraine, and since then Eastern Ukraine (on the left bank of the Dnieper River) has been formally merged with the Russian Empire, beginning a history of alliance between Ukraine and Russia.
In the 18th century, Russia successively incorporated Ukraine and large areas of the northern shore of the Black Sea into its own territory. By 1795, the rest of Ukraine, with the exception of Galicia (which belonged to Austria from 1772 to 1918), was under the rule of the Russian Empire.
At the end of 1917, Soviet power of a socialist nature was established in eastern Ukraine and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was established. During the period of foreign armed intervention from 1918 to 1920, western Ukraine (Eastern Galicia and West Warren) was occupied by Poland.
In 1922, the Soviet Union was formed, and Eastern Ukraine joined the Union, becoming one of the founding members of the Soviet Union. Under the Treaty of Riga signed between Poland and the Soviet Union, Western Ukraine became Polish territory.
In November 1939, World War II broke out, Poland was divided and occupied, and Western Ukraine was merged with the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
On June 22, 1941, the Soviet-German War broke out, and the war first spread to Ukraine, and the Soviet Union suffered a serious defeat in the Ukrainian region. In the Battle of Kiev, the Soviet Union lost about 700,000 soldiers, and germany occupied all of Ukraine as it wished.
In November 1944, soviet troops returned to Ukraine. During World War II, the Ukrainian region became the hardest hit area of the war, with heavy casualties and uncountable material losses.
In 1985, when Gorbachev came to power, the contradictions accumulated in the history and reality of the Soviet Union began to surface, nationalist and separatist tendencies rose rapidly, the political situation in the country began to be sharply turbulent, and at the same time, Ukraine began its independence.
On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian government issued a declaration of national independence, officially declaring independence from the Soviet Union and changing the name of the country to Ukraine. On December 8, the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus signed the Belovezh Agreement in Minsk, declaring the soviet union no longer existing, forming the Commonwealth of Independent States, and finally completing Ukraine's independence. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine ended its 337-year history of alliance with Russia and became an independent country. Kravchuk was elected as the first president.
30 years before and after Ukraine
The former land area of Ukraine was 603,700 square kilometers, making it the second largest country in Europe in terms of land area, second only to Russia in terms of land area. The total population is more than 40 million, and the degree of higher education of the whole population is as high as 70%.
Ukraine is the largest market in Eastern Europe, its economy is relatively open and market-oriented, and the free trade area agreement with the European Union stipulates that investors can enjoy various benefits.
Geographically, Ukraine has a significant location advantage, known as the "Gateway to Europe", with 3 transport corridors leading to Europe, as well as high-quality ports.
In terms of agriculture, Ukraine has the most extensive black land in Europe, with the title of "European granary", and the Dnieper River crossing Ukraine can bring enough water to the black soil on both sides, with natural geographical advantages. It is one of the world's major food producers.
In terms of industry, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was the second largest successor of the Soviet Union, and the income from the separation was second only to Russia. According to the data, Ukraine inherited about 35% of the Soviet Union's military production capacity at that time, with as many as 3594 military enterprises and 3 million employees.
In terms of heavy industry, it even surpassed some developed countries in Western Europe. For example, a large number of industry giants such as the Antonov Design Bureau, the Southern Machinery Factory, and the Black Sea Shipyard have become local industries unique to Ukraine.
At that time, Ukraine's strength can be called one of the most powerful countries in the world.
When Ukraine was in the limelight, its economic strength was comparable to that of China. But now, Ukraine's total GDP in 2021 is only about 200 billion US dollars, which is the lowest level in Europe; the per capita GDP in 2021 is 4532 US dollars, equivalent to about 29,200 yuan, while the Chinese's average GDP in Gansu Province has reached 40,000 yuan, the gap is very large.
In agriculture, what was once the "granary of Europe" has also become today's "European womb", although Ukraine's agricultural exports account for 39% of total exports, and agriculture contributes more than 10% to GDP. But the people at home are facing a food shortage.
In terms of industry, many of the giant enterprises that were assigned at that time were not very optimistic, and some even went bankrupt. In terms of military strength, it has been greatly reduced, compared with when it first became independent, it is almost like two people.
Why Did Ukraine Fall?
Historically, the military forces allocated at that time not only did not solve Ukraine's practical problems, but also became a burden to a certain extent, because it required a lot of money to support. Moreover, if the military force is too large, the external pressure will also be great.
Although there are many industries assigned, they have not formed a system, and it is difficult to develop for a long time. Moreover, its economic structure has been single for a long time, lacking oil and gas resources, and the economy is heavily dependent on external funds, external markets and imported energy.
In addition, Ukraine's national economic lifeline is controlled by oligarchs and the lack of competition in the market has led to economic stagnation.
Interestingly, it is reported that before the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Oligarchs in Ukraine "ran away collectively", and among the top 100 rich people on the rich list, except for 4 people who were detained in Ukraine due to the control of the situation, the others all ran away.
Recent Ukraine
Russian Presidential Press Secretary: Ukrainian Side Has Refused Peace Talks The Russian military continues to act
Tass News Agency quoted Russian presidential press secretary Peskov as saying on the 26th that due to the Ukrainian side's refusal to negotiate with the Russian side, the main Russian forces resumed operations in accordance with the action plan in Ukraine on the same day.
Zelenskiy said fighting is still taking place in many parts of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said on the 26th that Ukraine successfully repelled many attacks by Russian troops, and the current fighting is still continuing.
According to the Ukrainian State News Agency reported on the same day, Zelenskiy said in a video recorded: "We withstood the test and successfully repelled the enemy's attack." He said fighting in many cities and regions of Ukraine continues.
According to the Ukrainian State News Agency, the Netherlands promised to ship 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible.
60 Russian soldiers parachuted in on the outskirts of the western Ukrainian city of Brod
According to the Ukrainian News Agency, the mayor of Lviv City, the capital of Lviv Oblast in western Ukraine, Saidovy said on the 26th that 3 helicopters carrying 60 Russian soldiers landed on the outskirts of Broad City in the Oblast at 9 o'clock local time on the 26th. Under the blows of the Ukrainian army, these airborne Russian soldiers retreated in the direction of the forest.
Ministry of Health of Ukraine: Russian military operations have killed 198 Ukrainians
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported on social media accounts on the 26th that the actions of the Russian army have caused 198 Ukrainian deaths and another 1115 injuries.
Russian Ministry of Defense: The Russian military has destroyed a total of 821 targets in Ukrainian military facilities
According to the latest news released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on the 26th, since the Russian army launched a special military operation, the Russian army has cumulatively destroyed 821 targets of Ukrainian military facilities. With the support of the Russian armed forces, local armed forces in Donetsk and Luhansk broke through the ukrainian forces' defenses and continued to advance.
Adviser to the President of Ukraine: The current situation in the capital Kiev is controllable
Podolyak, an adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on the 26th that the situation in the urban and suburban areas of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is currently under control.
At a press conference held at the office of the Ukrainian president, Podolik said that the seizure of Kiev is the primary goal of the Russian army, which is deploying as many troops and military equipment as possible to the area close to Kiev, and the Ukrainian army is actively defending the outskirts of Kiev. At the same time, the Ukrainian police and counter-terrorism forces are carrying out operations to clear the enemy special operations group in the city of Kiev.
Podoriac said Ukrainian and Russian forces are fighting fiercely in Kherson, Nikolaev and Odessa in southern Ukraine, because breaking through the Ukrainian defense line in this direction is a priority target for the Russian army. The Russians wanted to consolidate their positions in the above-mentioned areas, but they were not succeeding at the moment.
Mayor of Kiev: Russian troops are not currently entering the kiev city
The mayor of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, Krychko, released a video speech on the 26th, saying that the Russian army has not entered the Kiev city at present. As of 6 o'clock local time on the 26th, the Russian attack on the city of Kiev has caused 35 injuries, including 2 children.
From the night of the 25th to the early morning of the 26th, the sound of explosions continued to be heard over the city of Kiev. Local residents have taken refuge in the basements of residential buildings, air raid shelters, subway stations, underground parking lots and other places.
According to Ukrainian media reports, the battle of Vasilikov south of Kiev is over. The fighting lasted from the 25th to the early morning of the 26th, when the local airfield and military facilities were attacked by Russian missiles, and the fighting was very fierce. Combat vehicles from the direction of Kiev arrived in time, and eventually the Russians failed to make a breakthrough.
The city's city-wide subways shut down and went into evacuation mode
The mayor of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, Krichko, said on social media on the 26th that all subways in Kiev city have stopped running into the evacuation mode to provide shelter for citizens.
Kiev citizens leave the city With supplies in short supply
As the situation in Ukraine became increasingly tense, citizens of the capital Kiev were asked to take refuge in subway stations and bomb shelters, and many chose to leave the city.
Russian Ministry of Defense: The Russian army has completely controlled the Ukrainian city of Melitopol
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a message on the 26th that the Russian armed forces have completely controlled the city of Melitopol in southeast Ukraine.
According to the news, on the evening of the 25th, the Russian Marines marched to Melitopol after landing in the Azov residential area. Subsequently, Russian troops entered Melitopol without resistance.
According to the russian Defense Ministry's circular on the 25th, the Russian airborne troops have completely controlled the Chernobyl nuclear power plant area in Ukraine on the 24th, and reached an agreement with the personnel of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant protection battalion to jointly guarantee the nuclear power plant facilities. In addition, the Russian army has completed the blockade of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, from the west.
The Russian Defense Ministry previously stressed that Ukraine's military facilities have been hit by high-precision weapons, but the Russian armed forces will not shell or air raid the city of Ukraine, which will not threaten civilians.
Ukraine's president said he did not ask the army to lay down its arms
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said in a selfie video posted on his personal social media account on the morning of the 26th that he did not ask the army to lay down its weapons.
Zelenskiy said: "Now there are rumors on the Internet that I am asking the Ukrainian army to lay down its arms and retreat. We will not lay down our weapons, our weapons are our truth. We will defend our land and our country. ”
We hope for peace, we hope that Ukraine will have early contacts in the war with Russia, and we hope that the people of all countries can restrain their speech and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
The above content is only a personal opinion, untrue please point out, thank you!