stolen history
Ukraine is a nation with a thousand-year history, yet for centuries, it has been forced to prove its very existence. Russia has systematically engaged in classic political gaslighting: first, it appropriates Ukrainian history, culture, and achievements; then, it destroys all expressions of Ukrainian identity; finally, it denies Ukraine’s right to exist altogether.
How Russia Stole Ukraine’s History
In the 9th century, Kyivan Rus was one of the most powerful states in Europe, with Kyiv as its political and cultural center. It was the cradle of Eastern Slavic civilization—not the land of modern Russia, which did not exist at the time.After the Mongol invasion, Kyivan Rus fragmented. In the north, the Grand Duchy of Moscow emerged as a separate entity. Over time, this new state expanded and, in the 18th century, rebranded itself as the "Russian Empire." By doing so, it attempted to rewrite history, falsely claiming to be the successor of Kyivan Rus.To solidify this falsehood, Russian propaganda promoted the idea of a "united people"—a narrative designed to erase the distinct Ukrainian identity. This is a textbook gaslighting technique: “We have always been together, you are just a part of us, and you never existed independently.”
forbidden language
Holodomor (1932–1933): A haunting photograph depicting the devastating effects of the man-made famine, illustrating the severe human toll and the attempt to suppress Ukrainian resistance.
Russia’s War Against Ukrainian Language and Culture
Stealing history was only the beginning. Next, Russia systematically sought to erase all traces of Ukrainian identity.
1876 – The Ems Ukaz: A decree banning the printing of books in Ukrainian, teaching in Ukrainian, stage performances, and even the singing of Ukrainian folk songs.
1930s – The “Executed Renaissance”: Mass repression and executions of Ukrainian poets, writers, and intellectuals who could have led a cultural revival.
1932–1933 – The Holodomor: A man-made famine orchestrated by Stalin that killed millions of Ukrainians, aimed at crushing resistance and eradicating Ukraine’s national consciousness.
All of these actions had one goal: to eliminate Ukrainian identity and force Ukrainians to believe they were part of the “great Russian nation.”
the fight for existence
Ukraine’s Independence – A Challenge to Russia
When Ukraine restored its independence in 1991, Russia did not see this as a natural historical event but as a "mistake" that needed to be corrected.For decades, Moscow used hybrid tactics to maintain control: bribing Ukrainian politicians, manipulating gas supplies, spreading Russian language dominance through media and education, and trying to convince Ukrainians that they could not survive without Russia.But when these methods failed, Russia turned to open aggression:2014 – The annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas.2022 – A full-scale invasion aimed at destroying Ukraine’s statehood.Throughout its war, Russia continued its gaslighting: "Ukraine does not exist," "Ukrainians are Russians," "You cannot be an independent nation."This is the same manipulation—only now, it comes with missiles, mass killings, and the destruction of Ukrainian cities.
The Truth Always Wins
Ukraine is one of the few nations in the world that is not only fighting for its independence but also being forced to prove that it exists at all.Yet, every historical attempt to erase Ukraine has failed. Ukrainians have survived empires, repressions, genocides, and wars. Not only have they endured—they have strengthened their national identity, consciousness, and determination to remain free.Ukraine was, is, and will be. This is not a myth, not propaganda, but a historical fact—confirmed by Ukrainians themselves.
