**Ukraine: A Country at the Center of Global Conflict**
Ukraine, the second largest country in Europe, has a complex history and identity. Its fertile plains are home to vast agricultural lands and significant industrial hubs in the east.
After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine struggled with its ties to Western Europe and Russia. The country’s nationalist sentiment was strongest in the west, which had closer cultural ties with Poland and other European nations.
**Conflict with Russia**
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated in 2014 when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by an uprising. This led to Russia seizing Crimea and supporting separatist groups in eastern Ukraine. The Russian army launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
Estimates suggest that up to one million people have been killed or injured since the start of the conflict. President Volodymyr Zelensky has rallied Ukrainian resistance against Russia, declaring martial law and mobilizing the armed forces.
**Ukrainian Leadership**
President Zelensky’s leadership during the war has earned him international praise. He initially gained fame as a fictional president in a TV comedy show, and his election campaign echoed an anti-establishment stance. His party, Servant of the People, won early parliamentary elections in 2019.
**Media Censorship**
In response to Russian aggression, Ukraine has banned Russian media outlets and blocked access to some popular websites and social networks. The authorities have also promoted a united patriotic agenda among national media outlets.
**Key Dates in Ukrainian History**
Some significant events in Ukraine’s history include:
* 1918: Ukraine declared independence after the Russian Revolution.
* 1932: A man-made famine killed at least seven million peasants during Stalin’s collectivization campaign.
* 1986: The Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded, sending radioactive fallout across Europe.
**Recent Developments**
Fighting between Ukraine and Russia has largely reached a stalemate. In 2023, the Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro river was destroyed, causing widespread flooding and disruption. In 2024, Ukraine launched a counter-offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, with North Korean troops reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces.
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