History of Ukraine in Timeline
Ukraine, the second largest country in Europe after Russia, is located in Eastern Europe. It shares borders with several countries, including Russia to the east and northeast, Belarus to the north, Poland and Slovakia to the west, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova to the southwest. Its southern and southeastern borders are coastlines along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, respectively. Kyiv is the capital and largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Ukrainian is the official language.
1906: Opening of Trans-Siberian Railway and Ukrainian Emigration
Following the 1906 opening of the Trans-Siberian Railway, approximately 1.6 million Ukrainians emigrated east, contributing to the Ukrainian diaspora and areas known as "Green Ukraine".
1917: Russian Revolution and Formation of Ukrainian People's Republic
In 1917, following the Russian Revolution, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed.
1918: Founding of Ukrinform
The National News Agency of Ukraine, Ukrinform, was founded in Kyiv in 1918.
1921: Ukrainian War of Independence
In 1921, as the Russian Empire collapsed during World War I, the Ukrainian War of Independence involved Ukrainians fighting alongside and against various forces, including the Poles, Hungarians, and Germans.
1921: Devastation and Famine in Ukraine
In 1921, the conflict in Ukraine, part of the Russian Civil War, resulted in over 1.5 million deaths and widespread homelessness, compounded by a famine in the eastern provinces.
1922: Formation of Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic
In 1922, the Bolsheviks established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a founding member of the Soviet Union.
1932: Socialist Realism in Ukrainian Art
In 1932, Stalin's decree enforced socialist realism as the official state policy for art and literature in the Soviet Union, impacting Ukrainian creativity.
1935: Piłsudski's Death and Escalation of Ukrainian Unrest in Poland
After Marshal Józef Piłsudski's death in 1935, the policy of Ukrainian autonomy in Poland was abandoned, leading to increased unrest and a rise in support for the Ukrainian nationalist movement.
September 1939: German and Soviet Division of Poland
Following the invasion of Poland in September 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union divided Polish territory, and Eastern Galicia and Volhynia, with their Ukrainian populations, became part of Ukraine.
1939: German Occupation of Ukraine
After joining the Soviet Union in 1939, some western Ukrainians initially welcomed German forces, but Nazi policies focused on resource exploitation, genocide, deportations, and depopulation for future colonization.
1940: Ukraine's Territorial Expansion
In 1940, Ukraine further expanded its territory with the incorporation of regions from Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, and Hertsa region, ceded by Romania under pressure from the USSR.
June 1941: German Invasion of the Soviet Union and Battle of Kyiv
In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, marking the start of nearly four years of war. Kyiv, recognized as a "Hero City," fiercely resisted the German advance but ultimately fell.
1942: Formation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)
In 1942, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was formed as the armed wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Both groups aimed to establish an independent Ukrainian state.
1943: UPA massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia
From mid-1943 onwards, the UPA perpetrated massacres against ethnic Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, resulting in approximately 100,000 deaths. This was part of the OUN's plan to create a homogeneous Ukrainian state.
1944: Ukrainian participation in WWII
In 1944, an estimated 4.5 to 7 million Ukrainians fought in the Soviet Army, and half of the 500,000-strong Pro-Soviet partisan units were Ukrainian. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army's numbers are estimated to be between 15,000 and 100,000.
1945: Ukraine becomes a founding member of the UN
In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations, with voting rights, despite not being independent. It also annexed Zakarpattia and saw significant post-war population transfers.
1945: Ukraine Joins the UN
Soviet Ukraine became one of the original members of the United Nations in 1945.
1946: Famine in Ukraine
A famine struck Ukraine in 1946, resulting from drought and wartime destruction, causing tens of thousands of deaths.
1947: International Recognition of Ukraine's Territorial Gains
The territorial gains made by Ukraine during World War II were officially recognized internationally through the Paris peace treaties of 1947.
1947: Famine in Ukraine
The famine that began in 1946 continued into 1947, compounding the devastation in Ukraine.
1950: Ukraine's industrial recovery
By 1950, Ukraine had surpassed pre-war industrial and production levels, becoming a European industrial leader and a center for the Soviet arms industry and high-tech research.
January 1953: Ukrainians as "special deportees"
As of January 1953, Ukrainians constituted 20% of adult "special deportees" in the USSR, second only to Russians.
1953: Death of Stalin and Khrushchev's rise
Following Stalin's death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev became the new leader of the USSR, initiating De-Stalinization and transferring Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR.
1964: Brezhnev becomes General Secretary
Leonid Brezhnev, a Ukrainian, became General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1964.
1982: End of Brezhnev's term
Leonid Brezhnev's term as General Secretary ended in 1982. His time in power saw the Russification of Ukraine and the repression of Ukrainian intellectuals.
April 1986: Chernobyl Disaster
On April 26, 1986, a reactor exploded at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, resulting in the worst nuclear reactor accident in history.
1986: Chernobyl Disaster
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster occurred in 1986, causing significant radiation contamination in northeastern Ukraine.
1988: Expansion of Higher Education in Ukraine
By 1988, the number of higher education institutions in Ukraine increased to 146, with over 850,000 students enrolled.
July 1990: Declaration of State Sovereignty
In July 1990, the Ukrainian SSR adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty.
August 1991: Ukraine declares independence
Following a failed coup in Moscow, Ukraine declared independence in August 1991, confirmed by a referendum in December.
1991: Literary Freedom in Ukraine
Following the collapse of the USSR and the restoration of Ukrainian independence in 1991, literary freedom expanded in the country.
1991: Economic decline in Ukraine
Ukraine began its transition to a market economy in 1991, experiencing a significant economic decline.
1991: Ukrainian Independence
Ukraine declared independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and declared itself neutral.
1991: Ukraine's Independence
Ukraine gained independence in 1991, marking a significant improvement in its judicial system.
1991: Ukraine Declares Independence
Ukraine's declaration of independence in 1991 impacted the usage of "the Ukraine" in the English-speaking world due to political implications related to sovereignty.
1992: Participation in UN Peacekeeping
Ukraine started contributing to UN peacekeeping operations in 1992.
1992: BBC Ukrainian Begins Broadcasts
BBC Ukrainian commenced its broadcasting services in 1992.
1992: Joining OSCE and North Atlantic Cooperation Council
Ukraine joined the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (now OSCE) and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992.
1992: Ukraine signs Lisbon Protocol
In 1992, Ukraine signed the Lisbon Protocol, agreeing to transfer all its nuclear weapons to Russia for disposal. This agreement paved the way for Ukraine to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state.
1993: Peak Population After Soviet Union Dissolution
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine's population peaked at around 52 million in 1993.
1993: Hyperinflation in Ukraine
In 1993, Ukraine experienced hyperinflation that peaked at 10,000%.
1993: Sergey Bubka's Pole Vault Record
Sergey Bubka set a new world record in the pole vault in 1993.
1994: Signing of Budapest Memorandum
In 1994, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum, agreeing to relinquish nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances.
1994: Ukraine partners with NATO
Ukraine established a partnership with NATO in 1994.
June 1996: Adoption of the Constitution
Ukraine adopted and ratified its Constitution on June 28, 1996.
1996: Adoption of New Ukrainian Constitution
A new constitution was adopted in Ukraine in 1996.
1996: Ukraine becomes nuclear-weapon-free
By 1996, Ukraine had successfully eliminated its nuclear weapons arsenal.
1998: EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Ukraine came into effect in 1998.
1998: Stabilization of Ukrainian currency
The Ukrainian currency, the hryvnia, stabilized in late 1998 after a sharp fall, partially due to the Russian debt default.
December 1999: EU Summit and Ukraine's Aspirations
The EU Summit in December 1999 acknowledged Ukraine's long-term aspirations for closer ties but didn't discuss association.
1999: End of economic decline
By 1999, Ukraine's economic decline, which began in 1991, came to an end.
1999: Non-permanent UN Security Council Member
Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 1999 to 2001.
2000: Pysanka Museum in Kolomyia
The Pysanka Museum, dedicated to the Ukrainian tradition of Easter egg decoration, was built in Kolomyia in 2000.
2001: End of UN Security Council Term
Ukraine finished its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2001
2001: Ethnic Composition According to the 2001 Census
According to the 2001 census, ethnic Ukrainians constituted approximately 78% of the population, with Russians being the largest minority at 17.3%. Smaller minorities included Belarusians, Moldovans, Crimean Tatars, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Romanians, Poles, Jews, Armenians, Greeks, Tatars, Koreans (estimated at 10,000-40,000), and Roma (estimated between 47,600 and 260,000).
2001: Census Data on Ethnic Composition
The 2001 census provided data on the ethnic composition of Ukraine's population.
2002: NATO-Ukraine Action Plan signed
The NATO-Ukraine Action Plan, signed in 2002, set the stage for increased cooperation between Ukraine and NATO.
2002: Judicial Independence Established
Ukrainian law established legal, financial, and constitutional freedom for the courts in 2002.
2003: Ukrainian troops deployed to Iraq
From 2003 to 2005, Ukrainian troops served in Iraq as part of a Polish-led multinational force.
2004: Orange Revolution and Law Enforcement Response
During the 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, especially the police, faced criticism for their handling of the protests.
2004: Orange Revolution
In 2004, the Orange Revolution took place in Ukraine, with protests against election rigging in favor of Viktor Yanukovych.
2005: Ukrainian troops deployed to Iraq
From 2003 to 2005, Ukrainian troops were deployed in Iraq as part of a multinational force under Polish command.
2005: Education Reform in Ukraine
In 2005, Ukraine switched from an eleven-year school program to a twelve-year program, expanding primary, middle, and upper secondary education.
2006: Ukraine's World Cup Debut
The Ukrainian national football team debuted in the FIFA World Cup in 2006, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Italy.
2007: Pysanka Museum Recognized as a Monument
In 2007, the Pysanka Museum was nominated as a monument of modern Ukraine as part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine initiative.
2008: NATO Bucharest summit addresses Ukraine's membership
During the 2008 Bucharest summit, NATO affirmed that Ukraine would eventually become a member once it fulfilled the necessary accession criteria.
2008: Vasyl Lomachenko's Olympic Gold
Vasyl Lomachenko won an Olympic gold medal in boxing in 2008.
2010: Criticism of Court System
In 2010, President Yanukovych criticized the state of Ukraine's court system and initiated reforms.
2010: Use of Russian in Court Proceedings
Starting in 2010, court proceedings in Ukraine could be conducted in Russian with mutual agreement.
2011: Ukraine to Host EuroBasket 2015
Ukraine was awarded the hosting rights for the EuroBasket 2015 basketball tournament in 2011.
August 2012: Regional Language Law
A new law enacted in August 2012 allowed for regional languages spoken by at least 10% of a local population to be declared official within that area. Russian subsequently became a regional language in several southern and eastern oblasts and cities, enabling its use in administrative work and documents.
2012: Vasyl Lomachenko's Olympic Gold
Vasyl Lomachenko secured his second Olympic gold medal in boxing in 2012.
2012: Establishment of Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine initiated the National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine in 2012.
2013: Euromaidan protests
In 2013, Euromaidan protests began in Ukraine against Yanukovych's refusal to sign the EU Association Agreement.
2013: Ukraine's Success in EuroBasket 2013
The Ukraine national basketball team achieved a sixth-place finish in EuroBasket 2013 and qualified for the FIBA World Cup for the first time.
February 2014: Revolution of Dignity
In February 2014, the Revolution of Dignity resulted in Yanukovych fleeing Ukraine after protests, but Russia refused to recognize the new government.
March 2014: Annexation of Crimea
In March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea after deploying its navy and utilizing unmarked troops.
June 2014: EU Association Agreement
Following the flight of President Yanukovych, Ukraine signed the EU association agreement in June 2014.
August 2014: Start of Open War in Donbas
On August 24, 2014, Russia launched an open invasion of Donbas, escalating the conflict with Ukrainian forces.
2014: Association Agreement with EU and Deterioration of Relations with Russia
Ukraine signed the Association Agreement with the EU in 2014, while relations with Russia significantly worsened due to the annexation of Crimea and other disputes.
2014: Russo-Ukrainian War begins
The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014, prompting Ukraine to modernize its military, including allowing junior officers more initiative and establishing a volunteer territorial defense force.
2014: End of Sergey Bubka's Pole Vault Record Reign
Sergey Bubka's pole vault world record, which he had held since 1993, was broken in 2014.
2014: Russo-Ukrainian War begins
The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014, further impacting Ukraine's economy.
2014: Russian Federation annexes Crimea
In 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Sevastopol and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea from Ukraine.
2014: Euromaidan and Russian Annexation of Crimea
In 2014, the Euromaidan protests led to a new government, after which Russia annexed Crimea and pro-Russian unrest escalated into war in Donbas.
2014: Population Decline
Between 1993 and 2014, Ukraine's population decreased by 6.6 million (12.8%) due to factors like a higher death rate than birth rate, emigration, poor living conditions, and inadequate healthcare.
2014: Tourism in Ukraine before 2014
Before the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, tourism played a significant role in Crimea's economy. Ukraine was ranked eighth in Europe for tourist arrivals. Popular attractions included mountains, the Black Sea coastline, nature reserves, historical landmarks, and cities like Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and Kamianets-Podilskyi.
2014: Repeal of Regional Language Law
After the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, Parliament voted to repeal the 2012 law on regional languages, aiming to make Ukrainian the sole state language. However, the repeal was not signed into law.
2014: Ukrainian frigate joins Operation Atalanta
In 2014, the Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sagaidachniy participated in the European Union's Operation Atalanta, a counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia, for a period of two months.
February 2015: Establishment of Frontline
By February 2015, after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Debaltseve, a frontline was established in the conflict.
2015: Ukraine Hosts EuroBasket
Ukraine hosted the EuroBasket 2015 basketball tournament.
2015: Energy Policy Shift
In 2015, Ukraine's energy policy shifted to prioritize diversifying energy supply. The country relies heavily on gas and coal for energy, followed by nuclear and then oil.
January 2016: DCFTA integrates Ukraine into European Single Market
In January 2016, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) came into effect, formally integrating Ukraine into the European Single Market and European Economic Area. This followed the ratification of the Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement. Ukraine also received support for its EU-accession aspirations from the International Visegrád Fund.
2016: Growth of Protestantism in Ukraine
In 2016, Protestants made up 1.9% of the Ukrainian population.
2017: Education Law on Language of Instruction
A 2017 education law mandated Ukrainian as the sole language of instruction in public schools from the fifth grade onwards, effectively barring primary education in other languages.
September 2018: Vasyl Lomachenko Ranked Top Boxer
In September 2018, Vasyl Lomachenko, a Ukrainian boxer and Olympic gold medalist, was ranked the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by ESPN.
2018: Growth of Protestantism in Ukraine
By 2018, the Protestant community in Ukraine had grown to 2.2% of the population.
January 2019: Orthodox Church Independence
In January 2019, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was officially recognized as independent from Moscow.
February 2019: Constitutional Amendment for EU and NATO Membership
In February 2019, Ukraine's constitution was amended to include joining the EU and NATO as strategic objectives.
2019: Regional Language Law Deemed Unconstitutional
In 2019, the law allowing for the official use of regional languages was declared unconstitutional. The Council of Europe criticized this decision for failing to protect minority language rights.
2019: Energy Sources and Subsidies
As of 2019, about half of Ukraine's electricity came from nuclear power and a quarter from coal. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, is located in Ukraine. Fossil fuel subsidies amounted to US$2.2 billion. Ukraine had also transitioned away from relying solely on Russia for nuclear fuel, as it had done in previous decades.
2019: Religious Demographics of Ukraine
In 2019, a study showed that the majority of Ukrainians identified as Christians, with Eastern Orthodox being the largest denomination. Other religions present included Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism.
2019: Poverty, unemployment, and middle class in Ukraine
In 2019, about 1% of Ukrainians lived below the poverty line, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Estimates placed the middle class between 5% and 15% of the population.
2020: Ukraine's role as an agricultural exporter
During the 2020/21 marketing season (July-June), Ukraine held the position of the sixth largest wheat exporter globally, accounting for 9% of the world's wheat trade.
2020: Lublin Triangle initiative formed
In 2020, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine established the Lublin Triangle initiative in Lublin, Lithuania. This initiative aimed to strengthen cooperation between these three historically linked nations (formerly part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) and further Ukraine's integration with the EU and NATO.
2020: COVID-19 pandemic reaches Ukraine
The COVID-19 pandemic reached Ukraine in 2020, further complicating the country's challenges.
2020: Ukraine's government debt
Ukraine's government debt was estimated to be around 50% of its nominal GDP in 2020.
2021: FAO report on Russo-Ukrainian War impact
In 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that the Russo-Ukrainian War posed a threat to the food security of numerous countries due to potential disruptions to Ukraine's grain and oilseed production. Many of these countries, particularly those heavily reliant on Ukraine and Russia for food and fertilizer imports, were classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) or Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs). For example, Eritrea imported 47% of its wheat from Ukraine in 2021. Over 30 nations relied on Ukraine and Russia for more than 30% of their wheat imports, mostly located in North Africa, Western and Central Asia.
2021: Average salary in Ukraine reaches highest level
The average monthly salary in Ukraine reached its peak at approximately ₴14,300 (US$525) in 2021.
2021: Ukraine's role as an agricultural exporter
In the 2020/21 season, Ukraine was a major global exporter of maize, barley, and rapeseed, contributing 12% of global maize and barley trade and 14% of world rapeseed exports. Furthermore, Ukraine held a dominant position in the sunflower oil market, accounting for roughly 50% of global exports during this period.
2021: Religious Beliefs in Ukraine
A 2021 survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) revealed that 82% of Ukrainians identified as religious, 7% as atheists, and 11% were undecided. Religiosity was highest in Western Ukraine and lowest in Donbas and Eastern Ukraine.
2021: Association Trio formed
In 2021, the Association Trio was created by Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. This trilateral format aimed to improve cooperation and dialogue with the EU on shared goals related to European integration and the Eastern Partnership, with the ultimate goal of joining the EU. At this time, Ukraine was planning to apply for EU membership in 2024, with hopes of joining by the 2030s.
2021: Mineral commodities, light industry, and transportation vehicles in Ukraine
In 2021, mineral commodities and light industry played a significant role in Ukraine's economy. The country produced a wide array of transportation vehicles and even spacecraft. The European Union served as Ukraine's primary trade partner, and remittances from Ukrainians working abroad were a significant source of income.
2021: Agriculture leads Ukraine's economy
In 2021, agriculture was the dominant sector of Ukraine's economy, and the country was a major exporter of wheat. Despite this, Ukraine remained among the poorest European nations in terms of nominal GDP per capita.
2021: IT Industry Contribution to GDP
In 2021, Ukraine's IT industry contributed nearly 5% to the country's GDP.
February 2022: Declaration of Martial Law
Martial law was declared in Ukraine in February 2022 due to the Russian invasion.
February 2022: Start of Full-Scale Invasion
In the early hours of February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
February 2022: Damage to Ukrainian Cultural Sites
Between February 2022 and March 2023, UNESCO documented damage to numerous cultural sites in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.
February 2022: Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine
A full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, significantly impacting the country's economy and stability.
June 2022: EU Candidate Status
Amidst the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine was granted candidate status to the European Union on June 23, 2022.
June 2022: Ukraine granted EU candidate status
In June 2022, Ukraine was granted candidate status for membership in the European Union. This followed a request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for immediate admission amidst the 2022 Russian invasion.
2022: IMF predicts economic shrinkage for Ukraine
Due to the Russian invasion, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a significant contraction of Ukraine's economy by 35% in 2022, despite providing emergency financial aid. Estimates for post-war reconstruction costs reached as high as half a trillion dollars.
2022: Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
2022: Internet and Social Media Usage in Ukraine
As of 2022, 75% of Ukraine's population used the internet, and social media platforms were widely utilized by both government entities and individuals.
2022: Demographics Before the 2022 Invasion
Before the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine had an estimated population exceeding 41 million, making it the eighth most populous country in Europe. The population was heavily urbanized, with about 67% residing in urban areas, particularly in the eastern and southeastern industrial regions. The population density was 69.5 inhabitants per square kilometer. Life expectancy at birth was 73 years (68 for males and 77.8 for females).
2022: IT Industry Resilience
Despite the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine's IT industry demonstrated resilience, continuing operations both within and outside the country. Some key officials used Starlink as a backup communication method.
2022: Bombing of Ukrainian Libraries
During the 2022 Russian invasion, several libraries in Ukraine, including the Maksymovych Scientific Library and the Vernadsky National Library, were bombed.
2022: Ukrainian Refugee Crisis and Internal Displacement
The 2022 Russian invasion triggered a refugee crisis, with over 4.1 million Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries, primarily Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, and other European countries. The war in Donbas had already internally displaced 1.4 million Ukrainians by the late 2010s. Most Ukrainian men aged 18-60 were not permitted to leave the country.
2022: Impact of 2022 invasion on Transportation
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine severely disrupted transportation. Roads, bridges were destroyed, and maritime travel was blocked. Before the invasion, ferry routes connected Odesa with Istanbul, Varna, and Haifa. Ukraine also has over 1,600 km of navigable waterways, primarily on the Danube, Dnieper, and Pripyat rivers. Navigation is often limited in winter due to freezing.
2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine presented initial challenges for the Ukrainian military against heavy weaponry, but light infantry forces effectively utilized shoulder-mounted weapons against tanks, armored vehicles, and low-flying aircraft.
2022: Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a massive refugee crisis, with millions of Ukrainian civilians fleeing to neighboring countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, and others.
2022: Energy Infrastructure Damage
The 2022 Russian invasion caused damage to some of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
2022: Decoupling from Russian and Belarusian Power Grids
In early 2022, Ukraine and Moldova synchronized their electricity grids with continental Europe, decoupling from the Integrated Power System of Russia and Belarus. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity facilitated this synchronization.
January 2023: Odesa's Historic Centre on UNESCO's Danger List
In January 2023, the historic center of Odesa was added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.
March 2023: UNESCO Assessment of War-Damaged Sites
By March 2023, UNESCO had verified damage to 247 sites in Ukraine, including religious sites, historical buildings, monuments, and libraries, as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion.
August 2023: Casualty estimates of Ukrainian soldiers
By August 2023, US officials estimated that up to 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and between 100,000 and 120,000 wounded during the Russian invasion.
2023: Ukraine's corruption ranking
In 2023, Ukraine ranked 104th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting ongoing challenges with corruption.
2023: Anti-Corruption Drive
A significant anti-corruption initiative commenced in early 2023, leading to the resignation of several government officials.
March 2024: Oscar Award for "20 Days in Mariupol"
On March 10, 2024, the documentary film "20 Days in Mariupol" won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film, marking the first Oscar win for Ukraine.
July 2024: Ukraine's Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory
As of July 2024, Ukraine's National Inventory of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage included 103 items.
2024: Ukraine's Higher Education Ranking
In 2024, Ukraine was ranked 60th in the Global Innovation Index and produces a large number of post-secondary graduates in Europe.
2024: Estimated Population in Ukrainian-Controlled Regions
The Ukrainian government estimates that 25 to 27 million people lived in Ukrainian-controlled regions in 2024.
2024: Expiration of Russian Gas Transit Contract
The contract for transiting Russian gas through Ukraine expires at the end of 2024.
2024: Ukraine planned to formally apply for EU membership
Ukraine had plans to formally submit its application for EU membership in 2024.