Ukrainians: a nation of resilience, legacy, and global influence
Did you know that Ukraine is a land of a special destiny?
Everyone remembers the recent meeting between Zelensky and Trump at the Vatican.
And the discussions about the presence of the Ukrainian coat of arms—the Tryzub—on a fresco of Prince Volodymyr in the Vatican. Which is a paradox!
It is forbidden to depict national coats of arms in the Vatican.
But Ukraine is unique.
It has a unique destiny and a unique people.
Let me remind you of just a few distinctive features:
ANCIENT TIMES
1. Divine blessing:
According to tradition, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called erected a cross on the hills of Kyiv in the 1st century A.D. and prophetically foretold the emergence of a great Christian city—which eventually came true.
Later, the St. Andrew’s Church was named in his honor. By the way, it currently belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
2. Ancient civilizations:
The Trypillian culture (5500–2750 B.C.) was one of the most advanced Neolithic civilizations in Europe, predating even the Sumerian civilization.
3. Cradle of Indo-Europeans:
The Yamnaya culture (3300–2600 B.C.), which thrived in the Ukrainian steppes, became a key source of Indo-European languages, spreading its influence across Europe and Asia.
4. Scythian legends:
Scythian myths spoke of divine gifts—a golden plow, axe, and bowl—that fell from the sky onto this land, symbolically marking the territory of Ukraine with the favor of higher powers.
THE MIDDLE AGES AND THE COSSACK ERA
5. A European center:
Kyivan Rus was one of the most influential states in Europe, and Prince Yaroslav the Wise was nicknamed the “father-in-law of Europe”—his children married into royal families of France, Norway, Hungary, and other countries.
Over ten years ago, I was surprised to discover in Edinburgh, Scotland, that Saint Margaret—the patron saint of Scotland—was the granddaughter of Yaroslav the Wise!
6. The victory at Khotyn (1621):
The Zaporizhian Cossacks, led by Hetman Sahaidachny, halted a massive army of the Ottoman Empire, thereby saving Central Europe from invasion.
7. The “Miracle” of Konotop (1659):
At the Battle of Konotop, Hetman Vyhovsky, together with a Cossack-Crimean Tatar force, inflicted a crushing defeat on the Muscovite army. The loss threw Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich into such panic that he ordered preparations for evacuating Moscow.
8. The first constitution:
In 1710, Hetman Pylyp Orlyk drafted the first modern European constitution—70 years before the American and French ones—establishing the principles of separation of powers and the rights of the people.
9. Ivan Sirko – The invincible cossack hetman:
The legendary Kish otaman of the Zaporizhian Sich, Ivan Sirko, nicknamed “Urus-shaitan” (the Russian Devil), led over 60 successful campaigns against the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire, never once suffering defeat.
According to legend, he possessed supernatural abilities—bullets couldn’t harm him, and his enemies believed he could transform into a wolf.
10. Bohdan Khmelnytsky – the liberator:
The great Hetman who led the liberation war of the Ukrainian people, united the Cossacks, and created the Cossack state.
According to tradition, he was protected by a special destiny—he repeatedly avoided death in the most dangerous battles, as if shielded by higher powers.
11. Maxym Zalizniak – the people’s hero:
The legendary leader of the Haidamaky, according to folk tales, was endowed with incredible strength and invincibility in battle. It was said that he could charm weapons and could deflect bullets with his bare hands.
12. Danilo Nechay – the enchanted colonel:
The famous Bratslav colonel during the time of Khmelnytsky, according to legends, wore an enchanted shirt that made him invulnerable to bullets and sabers.
He became renowned for his incredible courage, fighting in the front ranks of his army.
NEW AND MODERN TIMES
13. Technological breakthrough:
In 1950, the first electronic computing machine in continental Europe was created in Kyiv—the MESM computer, which became a pioneer of the computer era.
14. Contribution to aviation:
Kyiv native Ihor Sikorsky built the world’s first four-engine airplane, the “Russky Vityaz,” in 1913, and later created the first single-rotor helicopter, laying the foundation for modern helicopter engineering.
15. The path to the Moon:
Ukrainian mathematician Yuriy Kondratyuk calculated the optimal flight trajectory to the Moon back in 1929. It was based on his “loop” that the American lunar module, carrying Neil Armstrong, made its historic landing in 1969.
16. Changing the world order:
The Ukrainian referendum on December 1, 1991, where more than 90% of citizens voted for independence, became the decisive event that led to the final dissolution of the USSR and the end of the Cold War.
Let me remind you that the old world order with a unipolar world had existed since 1945…
17. The Revolution of Dignity:
The Euromaidan of 2013-2014 became the largest democratic movement in Europe since 1989, demonstrating the maturity of Ukrainian civil society and its European aspirations.
18. The strength of spirit:
Since 2022, the Ukrainian nation has shown the world incredible resilience and courage, uniting in the face of Kremlin aggression and inspiring the entire free world.
Ukrainians have withstood not just 3 days, as predicted by Western analysts, but have been fighting for 4 years now.
We have almost destroyed the Black Sea fleet, hundreds of Russian planes and helicopters, and tens of thousands of military vehicles.
19. Prince Volodymyr in the Vatican:
Since 1989, a mosaic of Prince Volodymyr with the Ukrainian trident has been located in the main Catholic cathedral in the world—the St. Peter’s Basilica—an exceptional case where a national symbol was placed in this sacred place.
20. Innovation in drone warfare:
Ukraine has become a global leader in the production and use of drones, developing advanced technologies, including drones with artificial intelligence, and changing the standards of warfare.
We were the first to apply and successfully develop asymmetric warfare tactics using drones.
Our FPV drones have changed the course of the war, diminishing the advantage of tanks.
Our naval drones have neutralized the Black Sea military fleet, and today we have even learned to shoot down planes and helicopters.
Ground drones are already conducting successful operations.
We are fewer, and financially and technically weaker, but we are smarter and more effective!
OUTSTANDING UKRAINIANS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
21. «Shchedryk» – a gift to the world:
The Ukrainian folk song Shchedryk, arranged by composer Mykola Leontovych, conquered the world and became widely known as Carol of the Bells, performed during the holiday season in dozens of countries.
22. The father of practical astronautics:
Serhiy Korolov, born in Zhytomyr, became the chief designer of the USSR’s first space programs and led the launch of the first artificial satellite and Yuri Gagarin’s flight into space.
23. A literary genius:
Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian poet and artist, not only created literary masterpieces but also became a symbol of the fight for freedom and national dignity, inspiring generations.
24. A monument record:
The world record for the most monuments dedicated to a cultural figure belongs to Ukrainian poet, writer, and artist Taras Shevchenko.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are over 1,100 monuments to Shevchenko worldwide: 99 in 44 countries and another 1,068 in Ukraine.
25. A global-scale philosopher:
Hryhorii Skovoroda, a prominent 18th-century Ukrainian philosopher, developed ideas of self-knowledge and moral improvement, earning the title “Ukrainian Socrates.”
26. Undisputed world champion:
Oleksandr Usyk, the greatest boxer of our time, became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, holding all four major belts and continuing his undefeated streak, bringing glory to Ukraine across the globe.
27. Champion brothers:
Vitalii and Vladimir Klitschko dominated world heavyweight boxing for over a decade, setting a record for the combined number of successful title defenses and jointly holding all major championship belts.
28. Gymnastics phenomenon:
Larysa Latynina, born in Kherson, won 18 Olympic medals and held the record for the most Olympic awards in history until 2012.
29. The voice of the century:
Solomiya Krushelnytska, a Ukrainian opera singer, performed on the world’s greatest stages, including La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera, earning recognition as one of the greatest sopranos of her time.
30. A cinematic shock:
Oleksandr Dovzhenko, a Ukrainian film director and writer, revolutionized world cinema with his innovative films. His Earth (1930) is listed among the 12 greatest films of all time.
31. Ballet perfection:
Serge Lifar, born in Kyiv, became a leading dancer, choreographer, and long-time director of the Paris Opera, transforming 20th-century ballet worldwide.
32. Nobel laureate:
Illya Mechnikov, born in the Kharkiv region, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908 for his groundbreaking work on immunity, becoming a pioneer in microbiology and the founder of gerontology.
33. Theory of superfluidity:
Lev Landau, born in Baku to a family of Kharkiv engineers and educated in Kharkiv, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1962 for his pioneering theory of superfluidity.
34. Innovations in economics:
Simon Kuznets (Semen Kuznets), born in Kharkiv, received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1971 for his empirically grounded interpretation of economic growth and for developing the concept of GDP.
35. Nobel Peace Prize:
Roald Hoffmann (Safran), born in Zolochiv (now Lviv region), received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1981 for his theories on chemical reaction mechanisms, becoming a globally recognized authority in physical chemistry.
36. Electrical engineering genius:
Ivan Puluj, a native of Ternopil region, discovered X-rays 14 years before Röntgen and created the first “X-ray” photograph in history. He also designed a safe incandescent lamp before Edison.
37. Revolution in electrical engineering:
Mykhailo Dolivo-Dobrovolsky, born in Gatchina to a Ukrainian family of engineers, invented the three-phase asynchronous motor and the three-phase electric power system, which form the foundation of modern power engineering.
38. Linguistic genius:
Ahatanhel Krymsky, an orientalist and polyglot, mastered over 60 languages, making him one of the most outstanding linguists in world history. His research in Arabic and Turkic studies brought him international acclaim.
WEALTHIEST BUSINESSMEN AND UKRAINIAN-BORN STARS
39. Founder of WhatsApp:
Jan Koum, born in Kyiv, created the messaging app WhatsApp, which was sold to Facebook for $19 billion—one of the largest tech deals in history—making him a billionaire.
40. Technological visionary:
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, has Ukrainian roots on his father’s side and is remembered as one of the greatest innovators of the computer age.
41. Media industry mogul:
Sidney Sheinberg, an American businessman of Ukrainian descent, created the world’s largest media empire, including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures.
42. Google co-founder:
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, was born in Moscow to a family of mathematicians with Jewish roots from Ukraine. He helped build one of the most influential companies in human history.
43. Fashion empire:
Ralph Lauren (Ralph Lifshitz), the renowned fashion designer and businessman, was born to parents who emigrated from Ukraine. He built a global fashion empire worth billions of dollars.
44. Financial titan:
Leonard Blavatnik, born in Odesa, became one of the richest people in the world with a fortune exceeding $30 billion, investing in the music industry, real estate, and technology.
45. Max Levchin:
A co-founder of PayPal, born in Kyiv, Levchin developed a revolutionary anti-fraud system that became key to PayPal’s success. After the company was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion, he launched several ventures, including the fintech company Affirm, now valued in the billions.
46. Jen March (Yevhen Marchenko):
A key developer of Google’s search algorithms, born in Odesa. His work on search ranking laid the groundwork for Google’s dominance and the rise of its trillion-dollar business empire.
47. Jan Kulik:
CEO of Škoda Auto since 2022, with Ukrainian roots. He leads one of the largest automotive brands within the Volkswagen Group, driving digital transformation and focusing on Eastern European and Asian markets.
48. Oleksandr Rovt:
President of IBE Trade Corp., born in Mukachevo. He built one of the world’s largest fertilizer manufacturing and trading companies, supporting agricultural productivity across multiple continents.
49. Melinda Gates (Melanka):
Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she has Ukrainian ancestry through her forebears. She oversees the world’s largest private charitable foundation, with assets exceeding $50 billion, funding global programs in health, poverty alleviation, and education.
50. Max Polyakov:
Founder of Firefly Aerospace, born in Zaporizhzhia. He revolutionized the space industry by creating a company that develops cost-effective launch vehicles for small satellites, making space more accessible for commercial purposes.
51. Stanislav Konzebutskiy:
Founder and CEO of Sanitas Group, born in Ternopil region. He built one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Eastern Europe, specializing in the production of affordable generics and innovative medicines.
52. Borys Lutz:
Chairman of the board at MedSource, a global clinical research organization, with Ukrainian roots. His company conducts clinical trials of new drugs, contributing to the development of cutting-edge treatments for a range of diseases.
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT
53. Aimee Hoffman:
Former CEO of The New York Times Company, of Ukrainian descent. Under her leadership, The New York Times successfully transformed from a traditional newspaper into a digital media powerhouse with over 7 million subscribers, becoming a model of adaptation in the digital age.
54. Sumner Redstone (Rothstein):
Former executive chairman of Viacom and CBS, descended from a family of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. He built one of the largest media empires in the world, shaping popular culture through MTV, Paramount Pictures, Simon & Schuster, and CBS.
55. Jeffrey Katzenberg:
Co-founder of DreamWorks Animation, of Ukrainian heritage. He revolutionized animated cinema with iconic films like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda, generating billions of dollars and redefining the landscape of family entertainment.
56. Sidney Sheinberg:
Former CEO of Viacom, descended from a family of Ukrainian immigrants. He built a media empire encompassing MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures, shaping the cultural landscape of an entire generation.
STARS OF ART AND SPORTS
57. Hollywood Stars:
Mila Kunis, born in Chernivtsi, became one of Hollywood’s most successful actresses, starring in dozens of blockbuster films.
Other Hollywood actors of Ukrainian descent include Jack Palance (Volodymyr Palahniuk), Dustin Hoffman, Sylvester Stallone, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
58. Piano Master:
Vladimir Horowitz, born in Kyiv, is recognized as one of the greatest pianists of all time. His unique technique and musical interpretations transformed the art of piano performance.
59. Musical Prodigy:
Sviatoslav Richter, born in Zhytomyr, captivated the world with his virtuosity and became one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century, known for the extraordinary breadth of his repertoire.
60. Artistic Genius:
Kazimir Malevich, born in Kyiv, created Suprematism—one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century. His Black Square changed the perception of painting forever.
61. Master of lyricism:
Anna Akhmatova (Anna Gorenko), born near Odesa, became one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Russian poetry. Her work is recognized as a part of global cultural heritage.
62. Experimental director:
Sergei Parajanov, an ethnic Armenian born in Tbilisi, created his greatest masterpieces in Ukraine, including Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. He became a cult figure in world cinema.
POLITICAL LEADERS OF UKRAINIAN DESCENT
63. Golda Meir – Prime Minister of Israel:
Born in Kyiv in 1898, she became one of the founders of the State of Israel and its fourth Prime Minister (1969–1974). Known as the “Iron Lady” long before Margaret Thatcher, she led Israel through the Yom Kippur War and laid the foundations of the modern Israeli state.
64. Volodymyr Zelenskyy – President of Ukraine:
President of Ukraine since 2019, he transformed from a comedic actor into a global leader after the war began in 2022. TIME magazine named him “Person of the Year,” and his speeches in world parliaments reshaped geopolitics and mobilized unprecedented support for Ukraine.
65. Menachem Begin – Prime Minister of Israel:
Born in Brest-Litovsk (then part of the Russian Empire, in a region with strong Ukrainian influence), he served as Israel’s Prime Minister from 1977 to 1983. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for signing a peace treaty with Egypt, which radically transformed Middle Eastern politics.
SOVIET LEADERS OF UKRAINIAN DESCENT
66. Mykyta Khrushchev:
Leader of the USSR (1953–1964), born in Kalynivka (now in Kursk Oblast) to a Ukrainian peasant family. He spent his childhood in Donbas and considered himself Ukrainian throughout his life. He initiated de-Stalinization, dismantled Stalin’s cult of personality, launched the space program, and helped prevent nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
67. Leonid Brezhnev:
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1964–1982), born in Kamianske (now Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). Under his rule, the USSR reached the height of its global influence, achieved nuclear parity with the US, and hosted the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
68. Konstantin Chernenko:
General Secretary of the Communist Party (1984–1985), born in the village of Bolshaya Tes in a family of Ukrainian peasant settlers. Although his tenure was short, he attempted to introduce limited economic reforms.
REVOLUTIONARIES AND STATE LEADERS
69. Nestor Makhno:
Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary who created a unique society without central authority in the territory of modern-day Ukraine from 1918 to 1921. His insurgent army used innovative mobile warfare tactics with “tachankas” (machine gun-equipped horse-drawn carts), which were later adopted by armies worldwide.
70. Leon Trotsky (Lev Bronstein):
Born into a wealthy Ukrainian Jewish family in the village of Yanivka, Kherson Governorate. He became the organizer of the October Revolution in 1917, the founder of the Red Army, and one of the main ideologues of the global communist movement.
71. Symon Petliura:
Head of the Directorate of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (1919–1926), played a key role in the fight for Ukraine’s independence during a crucial historical period. Under his leadership, the Ukrainian People’s Republic gained international recognition and formed an alliance with Poland against the Bolsheviks.
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL FIGURES
72. Chrystia Freeland:
Deputy Prime Minister of Canada since 2019, born into a Ukrainian lawyer’s family. As Canada’s Foreign Affairs and Finance Minister, she plays a central role in international politics, particularly in supporting Ukraine.
73. Ihor Shchogolev:
Former Russian Minister of Communications and Mass Media, and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative to the Central Federal District. Hailing from Vinnytsia, he was one of the most influential politicians in Vladimir Putin’s circle with Ukrainian roots.
74. Mikheil Saakashvili:
The third President of Georgia (2004–2013), born in Tbilisi to a family with Ukrainian roots (his mother was Ukrainian). Later, he obtained Ukrainian citizenship and became the Head of the Odessa Regional State Administration (2015–2016), implementing radical anti-corruption reforms.
DISSIDENTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
75. Vyacheslav Chornovil:
A leading Ukrainian dissident during the Soviet era, fighter for Ukraine’s independence, journalist, and political figure. He spent 15 years in Soviet prisons and camps for his human rights activism and became a symbol of resistance to totalitarianism and a spiritual leader of the Ukrainian democratic opposition.
76. Levko Lukyanenko:
Ukrainian dissident, human rights defender, and politician who spent 27 years in Soviet prisons and camps for his struggle for Ukraine’s independence. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in 1991, which altered the map of Europe and world history.
77. Vasyl Stus:
One of Ukraine’s most renowned dissidents, poet, and human rights defender. He was arrested twice for anti-Soviet activities and died in a high-security camp. His death became a catalyst for the Ukrainian national movement and a symbol of the struggle for freedom of speech.
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL FIGURES OF UKRAINIAN ORIGIN
78. Ed Koch:
Mayor of New York City (1978–1989) of Ukrainian-Polish descent, who transformed the city from near bankruptcy into a thriving metropolis. Under his leadership, New York experienced a renaissance and became a symbol of American revival in the 1980s.
79. Sergiy Kiriyenko:
Former Prime Minister of Russia (1998), born in Sukhumi to a Ukrainian father and a Jewish mother. He currently holds the position of First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia and is considered one of the key strategists of Russia’s domestic politics.
80. Mykola Sharif-Pasha:
An Egyptian politician of Ukrainian descent who served as Prime Minister of Egypt four times between 1879 and 1895. He modernized Egypt’s economy and administrative system, laying the foundations for the modern state of Egypt.
81. Dmitry Medvedev:
Former President of Russia (2008–2012) and Prime Minister (2012–2020), of Ukrainian ancestry from the territory of modern-day Ukraine. Despite his current anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, his Ukrainian roots are confirmed by genealogical research.
82. Petro Poroshenko:
The fifth President of Ukraine (2014–2019), businessman, and political figure who led the country following the Revolution of Dignity. Under his leadership, Ukraine signed an Association Agreement with the EU, gained a visa-free regime with the European Union, and began profound reforms in the economy and defense sectors.
83. Igor Shuvalov:
Former First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and head of VEB.RF, of Ukrainian descent. One of the architects of Russia’s economic policy in the 2000s, playing a key role in modernizing Russia’s economy and integrating it into global markets.
84. Thomas Bach:
President of the International Olympic Committee since 2013, of Ukrainian descent. He heads one of the most influential international organizations, which coordinates the Olympic movement and unites sports federations worldwide.
85. Natalia Yaresko:
Former Minister of Finance of Ukraine and Executive Director of the Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico. An American of Ukrainian origin, she played a crucial role in stabilizing Ukraine’s economy after the Revolution of Dignity and restructuring Puerto Rico’s debt.
I could go on for a long time.
Ukraine is a unique country with a unique history and mission.
Ukrainians are a cool people and have proven it throughout their history.
If world leaders still knew and remembered these facts, I think the attitude towards Ukraine would be different and Russian propaganda would simply dissipate.
It’s also worth adding that Ukrainians have become a global nation, with over 20 million Ukrainians now living outside of Ukraine!
The most important thing to remember is that Ukraine is a country with a special fate, which again and again confirms its unique role in history. Its path is not always easy, but as if fate itself guides the Ukrainian people through trials to victories, granting key advantages at the right time.
As the anthem says: “Still, brothers, Ukrainians, fate will smile upon us!” – and these prophetic words continue to come true before our eyes.
Read, draw conclusions, add to the comments, and share!
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