Ukraine

Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine achieved a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and endured a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two forced famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although Ukraine achieved independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy and prosperity remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties.

A peaceful mass protest referred to as the “Orange Revolution” in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. Subsequent internal squabbles in the YUSHCHENKO camp allowed his rival Viktor YANUKOVYCH to stage a comeback in parliamentary (Rada) elections, become prime minister in August 2006, and be elected president in February 2010. In October 2012, Ukraine held Rada elections, widely criticized by Western observers as flawed due to use of government resources to favor ruling party candidates, interference with media access, and harassment of opposition candidates. President YANUKOVYCH’s backtracking on a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU in November 2013 – in favor of closer economic ties with Russia – and subsequent use of force against students, civil society activists, and other civilians in favor of the agreement led to a three-month protest occupation of Kyiv’s central square. The government’s use of violence to break up the protest camp in February 2014 led to all out pitched battles, scores of deaths, international condemnation, a failed political deal, and the president’s abrupt departure for Russia. New elections in the spring allowed pro-West president Petro POROSHENKO to assume office in June 2014; he was succeeded by Volodymyr ZELENSKY in May 2019.

Crimea – At this time the international community recognizes Crimea as still part of Ukraine. While it is under the de facto control of Russia and we will not provide travel information until this is resolved international.

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Prypiat Ghost Town Chernivtsi Kamianets-Podilski Kamenet’s Podolsky Castle Kharkiv Kiev  Andriyivski Uziz Independence Square Pechersk Lavra – Caves Monastery Rodina Mat Motherland St. Sophia Cathedral Klevan Tunnel of Love  Lviv Market Square Old Town St. Yura Cathedral Medzhybizh Castle Mukacheve Palanok Castle Odessa Rzhyshchiv Flooded Church of Tranfiguration Vinnytsya Roshen Fountains

Date		Name	Type
Jan 1	Friday	New Year’s Day	National holiday
Jan 7	Thursday	Orthodox Christmas Day	National holiday, Orthodox
Jan 14	Thursday	Orthodox New Year	Observance, Orthodox
Jan 22	Friday	Ukrainian Unity Day	Observance
Jan 25	Monday	Tatiana Day	Observance
Feb 14	Sunday	Valentine’s Day	Observance
Mar 8	Monday	International Women’s Day	National holiday
Mar 20	Saturday	March Equinox	Season
Mar 28	Sunday	Daylight Saving Time starts	Clock change/Daylight Saving Time
Apr 1	Thursday	April Fools	Observance
May 1	Saturday	Labor Day	National holiday
May 2	Sunday	Orthodox Easter Day	National holiday, Orthodox
May 3	Monday	Orthodox Easter Day holiday	National holiday, Orthodox
May 9	Sunday	Victory Day / Memorial Day	National holiday
May 9	Sunday	Mother’s Day	Observance
May 10	Monday	Victory Day / Memorial Day observed	National holiday
May 15	Saturday	Europe Day	Observance
May 30	Sunday	Kyiv Day	Observance
Jun 20	Sunday	Orthodox Pentecost	National holiday, Orthodox
Jun 21	Monday	Orthodox Pentecost holiday	National holiday, Orthodox
Jun 21	Monday	June Solstice	Season
Jun 28	Monday	Constitution Day	National holiday
Jul 4	Sunday	Navy Day	Observance
Jul 7	Wednesday	Kupala Night	Observance
Jul 8	Thursday	Family Day	Observance
Jul 28	Wednesday	Baptism of Kyivan Rus	Observance
Aug 24	Tuesday	Independence Day	National holiday
Sep 22	Wednesday	September Equinox	Season
Oct 3	Sunday	Teacher’s Day	Observance
Oct 14	Thursday	Defenders’ Day	National holiday
Oct 31	Sunday	Daylight Saving Time ends	Clock change/Daylight Saving Time
Nov 9	Tuesday	Cultural Workers and Folk Artists Day	Observance
Nov 21	Sunday	Dignity and Freedom Day	Observance
Dec 6	Monday	Army Day	Observance
Dec 19	Sunday	St. Nicholas Day	Observance, Orthodox
Dec 21	Tuesday	December Solstice	Season
Dec 25	Saturday	Catholic Christmas Day	National holiday