History of Ukraine in Timeline

Ukraine is a large Eastern European country bordering Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. Kyiv is its capital and largest city. Ukrainian is the official language. It is the second largest country in Europe after Russia.

1906: Trans-Siberian Railway Opens

An additional 1.6 million Ukrainians emigrated to the east in the ten years after the opening of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1906.

1917: Ukrainian People's Republic Formed

Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed.

1918: Ukrinform Founded

The National News Agency of Ukraine, Ukrinform, was founded in Kyiv in 1918.

1921: Famine Hits Eastern Provinces

Famine in 1921 further hit the eastern provinces of Ukraine, exacerbating the devastation of the Russian Civil War.

1921: Fighting on Ukrainian Soil Persists

Fighting on Ukrainian soil persisted until late 1921 as World War I ended and the Ukrainian War of Independence continued.

July 1922: Arrests and Deportations of Ukrainian Intellectuals

In July 1922, arrests and deportations of Ukrainian intellectuals began in Soviet Ukraine and continued throughout the 1920s.

1922: Ukrainian SSR Established

In 1922, the Bolsheviks consolidated control over much of the former Russian Empire and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union.

1932: Socialist Realism as State Policy

In 1932, Stalin's decree "On the Reconstruction of Literary and Art Organisations" made socialist realism the state policy in the Soviet Union, which stifled creativity in Ukraine.

1935: Abandonment of Autonomy Approach after Piłsudski's Death

In Poland, the approach of offering local autonomy to Ukrainians was abandoned after Piłsudski's death in 1935, leading to restrictions on Ukrainian rights and increased support for Ukrainian nationalism.

September 1939: Territorial Division of Poland

In September 1939, following the invasion of Poland, German and Soviet troops divided the territory of Poland, with Eastern Galicia and Volhynia becoming part of Ukraine.

1939: Integration into the Soviet Union

In 1939, some western Ukrainians, who had only joined the Soviet Union, initially hailed the Germans as liberators during the invasion.

1940: Further Territorial Gains

In 1940, the Ukrainian SSR incorporated the northern and southern districts of Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, and the Hertsa region from Romania.

June 1941: German Invasion of the Soviet Union

On June 22, 1941, German armies invaded the Soviet Union, initiating nearly four years of total war, with the city of Kyiv acclaimed as a "Hero City" for its fierce resistance.

1942: Formation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)

In 1942, the independent Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) movement arose in Western Ukraine as the armed forces of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN).

1943: UPA Massacres of Ethnic Poles

From mid-1943 until the end of the war, the UPA carried out massacres of ethnic Poles in the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia regions, killing around 100,000 Polish civilians.

1944: Ukrainian Participation in Soviet Resistance

In 1944, half of the Pro-Soviet partisan guerrilla resistance units, which counted up to 500,000 troops, were Ukrainian.

1945: Soviet Ukraine Joins United Nations

In 1945, Soviet Ukraine joined the United Nations as one of the original members.

1945: Ukrainian SSR Founding Member of UN

In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the United Nations (UN), part of a special agreement at the Yalta Conference.

1946: Famine Caused by Drought and Wartime Destruction

The situation in Ukraine was worsened by a famine in 1946–1947, which was caused by a drought and the wartime destruction of infrastructure, killing at least tens of thousands of people.

1947: International Recognition of Territorial Gains

In 1947, the territorial gains of the USSR, including those in Ukraine, were internationally recognised by the Paris peace treaties.

1947: Famine Caused by Drought and Wartime Destruction

The situation in Ukraine was worsened by a famine in 1946–1947, which was caused by a drought and the wartime destruction of infrastructure, killing at least tens of thousands of people.

1950: Surpassed Pre-War Levels of Industry and Production

By 1950, the Ukrainian republic had fully surpassed pre-war levels of industry and production and became a European leader in industrial production.

January 1953: Ukrainians Among "Special Deportees"

As of 1 January 1953, Ukrainians were second only to Russians among adult "special deportees", comprising 20% of the total.

1953: Khrushchev Becomes Leader of USSR

Following the death of Stalin in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev became the new leader of the USSR, who began the policies of de-stalinisation and the Khrushchev Thaw.

1964: Leonid Brezhnev as General Secretary

In 1964, Leonid Brezhnev, a Ukrainian, became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

1982: End of Brezhnev's Term

In 1982, Leonid Brezhnev's term as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union ended.

April 1986: Chernobyl Disaster

On April 26, 1986, a reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, resulting in the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear reactor accident in history.

1986: Chernobyl Disaster

In 1986, the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant caused radiation contamination in northeastern Ukraine.

1988: Expansion of Higher Education Institutions

By 1988, during the Soviet period, the number of higher education institutions in Ukraine had increased to 146, accommodating over 850,000 students.

July 1990: Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine adopted

On 16 July 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine.

August 1991: Ukraine Proclaims Independence

On 24 August 1991, Ukraine proclaimed its outright independence following a failed coup in Moscow.

1991: Transition to Market Economy

In 1991, Ukraine began its transition to a market economy, experiencing a significant economic slowdown.

1991: Ukraine Gains Independence

In 1991, Ukraine gained independence as the Soviet Union dissolved, declaring itself neutral.

1991: Reestablishment of Ukrainian Independence

Literary freedom grew in the late 1980s and early 1990s alongside the decline and collapse of the USSR and the reestablishment of Ukrainian independence in 1991.

1991: Independence and Naming Conventions

Since Ukraine's declaration of independence in 1991, the usage of "the Ukraine" has become politicised and is now rarer, with style guides advising against its use.

1991: Judicial System Improved

Since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the judicial system has seen significant improvements.

1992: BBC Ukrainian Broadcasts Start

BBC Ukrainian started its broadcasts in 1992.

1992: Joined Security and Cooperation Conference

In 1992, Ukraine joined the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (now the OSCE) and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council.

1992: Contributions to UN Peacekeeping

Since 1992, Ukraine has made contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

1993: Hyperinflation Peaks

In 1993, Ukraine experienced hyperinflation that peaked at 10,000%.

1993: Sergey Bubka Holds Pole Vault Record

Sergey Bubka held the record in the Pole vault from 1993 to 2014. Bubka was voted the world's best athlete on several occasions.

1994: Budapest Memorandum Signed

In 1994, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum, agreeing to hand over nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees.

June 1996: Constitution of Ukraine Adopted

On 28 June 1996, the Constitution of Ukraine was adopted and ratified.

1996: New Constitution Adopted

In 1996, a new constitution was adopted in Ukraine as the country transitioned to a free market liberal democracy.

1998: EU Partnership Agreement in Force

In 1998, the European Union's Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Ukraine went into force.

1998: Currency Crisis

In late 1998, the hryvnia, Ukraine's currency, fell sharply, partly due to the Russian debt default.

December 1999: EU Summit Recognizes Aspirations

In December 1999, the EU Summit in Helsinki recognized Ukraine's long-term aspirations but did not discuss association.

1999: Economic Stabilization

By 1999, the economic situation in Ukraine started to stabilize after a period of recession and hyperinflation.

1999: UN Security Council Membership

From 1999, Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

2000: Museum of Pysanka Built

In 2000, the museum of Pysanka was built in the city of Kolomyia, located near the Carpathian Mountains foothills, dedicated to the tradition of Ukrainian Easter eggs.

2001: End of UN Security Council Membership

Until 2001, Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

2002: Legal and Financial Freedom Guaranteed

Since 2002, Ukrainian law guarantees legal, financial, and constitutional freedom for the courts.

2004: Heavy Handling of Orange Revolution

During the 2004 Orange Revolution, law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, faced criticism for their heavy handling of the protests.

2004: Orange Revolution

In 2004, the Orange Revolution took place in Ukraine as tens of thousands of people protested election rigging in favor of Viktor Yanukovych.

2005: Education System Reform

Since 2005, Ukraine replaced its eleven-year school program with a twelve-year one, including primary, middle, and upper secondary education levels.

2005: Orange Revolution Continues

The Orange Revolution continued into 2005, ushering electoral and constitutional reforms in Ukraine.

2006: National Team Debut in FIFA World Cup

The Ukrainian national football team made its debut in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions, Italy.

2007: Museum of Pysanka Nominated

In 2007, the Museum of Pysanka won a nomination as a monument of modern Ukraine as part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine action.

2008: Vasyl Lomachenko Wins Olympic Gold

Vasyl Lomachenko, hailing from Ukraine, won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and 2012.

2010: Expert Group Formed on Court Reform

In 2010, President Yanukovych formed an expert group to make recommendations on court reform.

2010: Court Proceedings in Russian Allowed

Since 2010, court proceedings in Ukraine can be held in Russian by mutual consent of the parties.

2011: Ukraine Granted Right to Organise EuroBasket 2015

In 2011, Ukraine was granted the right to organise EuroBasket 2015.

2012: Formation of National Register

Since 2012, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has been forming the National Register of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.

2012: Vasyl Lomachenko Wins Second Olympic Gold

Vasyl Lomachenko, hailing from Ukraine, won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and 2012.

2013: Ukraine Qualifies for FIBA World Cup

In 2013, the Ukraine national basketball team finished sixth in EuroBasket and qualified for the FIBA World Cup for the first time in its history.

2013: Euromaidan Protests

In the winter of 2013, protests gathered on the Euromaidan to oppose Yanukovych's refusal to sign the European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement.

February 2014: Revolution of Dignity

By the end of the protests on 21 February 2014, Viktor Yanukovych fled from Ukraine and was removed by the parliament in what is termed the Revolution of Dignity.

March 2014: Annexation of Crimea

In late February and early March 2014, Russia annexed Crimea using its Navy and the so-called "little green men".

June 2014: EU Association Agreement Signed

In June 2014, Ukraine signed the EU association agreement following Yanukovych's departure.

August 2014: Open Invasion in Donbas

On 24 August 2014, Russian forces started an open invasion in Donbas.

2014: Euromaidan Revolution

In 2014, a series of mass demonstrations known as the Euromaidan led to a revolution in Ukraine, at the end of which Russia unilaterally occupied and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest culminated in a war in Donbas with Russian-backed separatists and Russia.

2014: Association Agreement Signed

In 2014, the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union was signed, and Russia-Ukraine relations deteriorated.

2014: Start of Russo-Ukrainian War

In 2014, the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War led to a series of sharp recessions in Ukraine.

2014: Sergey Bubka Ends Pole Vault Record

Sergey Bubka held the record in the Pole vault from 1993 to 2014. Bubka was voted the world's best athlete on several occasions.

February 2015: Frontline Established

In February 2015, the frontline in the Donbas conflict was established after Ukrainian troops withdrew from Debaltseve.

2015: EuroBasket 2015 in Ukraine

In 2011, Ukraine was granted the right to organise EuroBasket 2015.

January 2016: DCFTA Enters Into Force

In January 2016, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) entered into force, formally integrating Ukraine into the European Single Market.

2016: Protestant Community Growth

In 2016, Protestants in Ukraine made up 1.9% of the population. Their numbers increased to 2.2% by 2018.

2017: Education Law Bars Primary Education in Public Schools

In 2017, Ukraine's education law prohibited primary education in public schools from grade five upwards in any language other than Ukrainian.

2018: Protestant Population Increase

By 2018, the Protestant population in Ukraine had risen to 2.2% of the total population, an increase from 1.9% in 2016.

2018: Oleksandr Usyk Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion

Since becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2018, Oleksandr Usyk has also won the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles.

January 2019: Orthodox Church of Ukraine Recognized

In January 2019, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was recognized as independent of Moscow.

February 2019: Constitutional Amendment for EU and NATO

On 7 February 2019, the Verkhovna Rada voted to amend the constitution to state Ukraine's strategic objectives as joining the European Union and NATO.

2019: Christian Population in Ukraine

In 2019, 82% of Ukrainians were Christians, with 72.7% identifying as Eastern Orthodox, 8.8% as Ukrainian Greek Catholics, 2.3% as Protestants, and 0.9% as Latin Church Catholics. Other Christians made up 2.3%.

2020: Lublin Triangle Initiative Created

In 2020, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine created the Lublin Triangle initiative to further cooperation and Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Ukraine, exacerbating existing economic challenges.

2021: Religious Demographics in Ukraine

In 2021, a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) revealed that 82% of Ukrainians identified as religious, 7% as atheists, and 11% found the question difficult to answer.

February 2022: UNESCO Verified Damage to Ukrainian Sites

Between February 2022 and March 2023, UNESCO verified damage to 247 sites in Ukraine, including religious sites, buildings of artistic or historical interest, monuments, and libraries.

February 2022: Martial Law Declared

In February 2022, martial law was declared in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

February 2022: Russia Invades Ukraine

In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

February 2022: Full-Scale Invasion by Russia

Starting on 24 February 2022, Ukraine experienced a full-scale invasion by Russia, leading to economic disruption.

June 2022: EU Candidate Status Granted

On 23 June 2022, Ukraine was granted candidate status for the European Union.

2022: Russian Invasion Impacts Health

As a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, millions suffered physical and psychological traumas. The World Health Organization documented over 2254 attacks on healthcare facilities.

2022: Internet Usage in Ukraine

As of 2022, 75% of the population in Ukraine uses the internet, and social media is widely used by the government and people.

2022: Applied to Join NATO

In 2022 Ukraine applied to join NATO.

2022: Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion

In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

2022: Russian Invasion Leads to Refugee Crisis

In 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a large-scale Ukrainian refugee crisis, with millions of civilians seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as other European countries.

January 2023: Historic Centre of Odesa Added to List of World Heritage in Danger

Since January 2023, the historic centre of Odesa has been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO.

March 2023: UNESCO Verified Damage to Ukrainian Sites

Between February 2022 and March 2023, UNESCO verified damage to 247 sites in Ukraine, including religious sites, buildings of artistic or historical interest, monuments, and libraries.

2023: Anti-Corruption Drive

In early 2023, a broad anti-corruption drive began in Ukraine with resignations of several officials.

March 2024: "20 Days in Mariupol" Wins Oscar

On 10 March 2024, the documentary film "20 Days in Mariupol" won the Oscar for "Best Documentary Feature Film", marking the first Oscar in Ukraine's history.

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October 2024: Health Decline Reported

According to data from October 2024 by the World Health Organization, 68% of Ukrainians reported a decline in their health compared to the pre-war period, with children's physical and mental health being particularly affected by the war with Russia.

2024: Lowest Nominal GDP Per Capita in Europe

As of 2024, Ukraine has the lowest nominal GDP per capita in Europe, with corruption being a significant issue.

2024: Ukraine's Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2024, Ukraine was ranked 60th in the Global Innovation Index.

September 2025: National Register of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Update

As of September 2025, the National Register of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine consists of 115 items. The register was formed by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine since 2012.