Ukrainain

Ukrainian refers to the people of Ukraine and to the official language spoken there. It is an East Slavic language and the official language of Ukraine, used in government, education, media, and daily communication. The Ukrainian language uses a Cyrillic alphabet of 33 letters and has grown from the Old East Slavic heritage of the region. It is closely related to Belarusian and to a lesser extent Russian, with a rich tradition of dialects and standard literary form.

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Belarus and Russia to the north and east, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania to the west, Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south. Its capital is Kyiv. The population is large and diverse, with the majority identifying as Ukrainian; the country also hosts minorities and a sizeable Ukrainian diaspora.

Historically, the Ukrainian people trace roots to medieval statehood in the Kievan Rus’ and later territories under Poland-Lithuania, the Ottoman world, and the Russian Empire. Ukraine gained independence with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since 2014 and 2022, Ukraine has faced territorial and security challenges, including the annexation of Crimea and ongoing conflict with Russia, which have shaped its political and social landscape.

Culturally, Ukraine has a rich heritage in literature, music, visual arts, and cuisine. Notable figures include poets such as Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrainka, and dishes like borshch and varenyky. The Ukrainian identity emphasizes language, history, and national traditions shared by its citizens and diaspora.