When did Ukraine emerge as a nation?" Some might say it was in 1991, when Ukraine declared independence, while others point to 2014, during the Revolution of Dignity, but by 2022, Ukraine's resistance was known worldwide. Ukraine's history began over a thousand years ago, when the Kyivan state was a powerful nation in Eastern Europe. Kings from France to Sweden sought to establish connections with the princes and kings of Kyiv, who had already embraced Christianity and constructed St. Sophia's Cathedral, while Moscow was still emerging from its marshy beginnings. And no matter how hard you look, the first mention of Moscow is dated only in 1172, while Kyiv was founded in 482. Nevertheless, the Russian Empire wanted some glory of its own, so it tried to create the great Kyivan state. Peter the Great, Catherine II, Stalin, and Putin created numerous myths portraying Kyivan Rus as the first Russian state, claiming that Russians are the rightful heirs of Russian culture. Overlooking the fact that Moscow was established by Yuri Dolgorukiy. Who happened to be the son of Volodymyr Monomakh, Grand Prince of Kyiv. The historian Mykhailo Hrushevskyi once said, "We are the people whose name was stolen". In the 31st year of its independence, Ukraine's future faces the grave risk of being taken away once more. Ukrainians made their choice long ago, defending their land with unwavering determination and sacrifice. This book invites you to embark on an extraordinary journey through Ukraine's years of independence, exploring the vast galaxies of talent and the challenging, winding path that has shaped Ukrainian uniqueness and established Ukrainian people as heroes in the free world.
