Ukraine: Then and Now

Chances are you wake up to the sound of your alarm or maybe a light tap from a family member. But imagine starting the day with the sound of explosions and sirens blaring outside. That’s been the reality for many teens in Ukraine since war began there almost four years ago.

A neighboring country, Russia, invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the nations have been fighting ever since, mostly within Ukraine’s borders. Nearly 1.4 million soldiers from both sides have died in the war, and at least 13,800 Ukrainian civilians have been killed. In addition, the violence has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes.

When this issue went to press, world leaders were trying to negotiate an end to the fighting. But the two countries share a complicated history. For centuries, Russian leaders have tried to control Ukraine and make it part of a larger empire. In 1922, they succeeded. Russia forced Ukraine to become part of the Soviet Union, a large Communist country formed that same year.

The Soviet Union was made up of 15 republics, including Ukraine, but it was dominated by Russia. The Soviet government controlled all aspects of its citizens’ lives. It limited their rights and suppressed their unique cultures and heritages.

For decades, the Soviet Union was one of the world’s leading superpowers. Its main rival was the United States. Over time, however, the Soviet economy weakened. Hoping to improve its financial situation, the government loosened its control over its citizens in the mid-1980s. That led several republics to start pushing for independence. In 1991, the Soviet Union crumbled. Ukraine and the other Soviet republics emerged as independent nations.  

Ukrainians officially confirmed that independence on December 1, 1991, when millions turned out to vote on separating from the Soviet Union. Ukraine also held its first presidential election that day.

What was it like to live through that historic transition? And how did it help shape Ukrainians’ view of the war today? For one person’s firsthand account, keep reading. 

There was also a boom in music, artists, and concerts. The Ukrainian culture began flourishing right away after we gained independence. 

When I was 16, 17, and 18, a lot of talented Ukrainian singers became popular. Under Soviet rule, they hadn’t even been allowed to perform.

How else did the fall of the Soviet Union affect you? 

After independence, the whole world became open to me. To go abroad while part of the Soviet Union was impossible for the average Ukrainian. A few years after Ukraine became independent, I got a passport. Traveling became about having enough money to pay for a trip, not about getting permission from the government to take a trip. I remember getting a job and taking my first trip to Italy. If the Soviet Union hadn’t collapsed, that would have been impossible.

After everything Ukraine has been through, how did you feel when Russia invaded the country in 2022?

When Ukraine became independent and the whole process after, I felt only good about it, never nostalgic about being part of the Soviet Union. This was an opportunity for us to travel, learn English, build a career, talk openly, and have a free press.

But when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, I felt scared and angry. My big fear is that Russia will occupy Ukraine, and Ukraine will not exist anymore. 

Freedom is not a meaningless word for Ukrainians. The main right they have is the freedom to decide what direction to choose for their country. 

_{Note: This is an edited, condensed version of Sonya’s interview.}