The Formation of Ukrainian National Identity in the Context of Russian Aggression: A Philosophical and Psychological Analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI1.153

Keywords:

National identity, Сultural memory, Language, Philosophical foundations

Abstract

The Russian military aggression has brought significant changes to Ukrainian social life. The article aims to analyze the formation of Ukrainian national identity in the conditions of Russian aggression based on philosophical and psychological analysis. The implementation of the proposed goal was based on the use of the PRISMA scientific approach. The processing of the collected information was carried out using content analysis and comparison synthesis. The results show that the Russian aggression against Ukraine significantly influenced the activation of the cultural, ethnic, and political self-awareness of Ukrainians. It was established that until 2014, the institutional development of Ukrainian national projects occupied a secondary place in the policy of the state authorities of Ukraine. Among the features of the impact of the war on the processes of self-identification, one can identify the awareness of the value and importance of preserving Ukrainian culture and cultural memory, the growth of support for the Ukrainian language, and the gradual change in historical memory. The conclusions note that the formation of national identity in war conditions was significantly activated due to the growth of self-awareness in Ukrainian society.

Author Biographies

Liudmyla Krymets, Kruty Heroes Military Institute of Telecommunication and Information Technology

Doctor of Science in Philosophy, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor, Department of Military and Humanitarian Disciplines

Oleksandr Saienko, Kruty Heroes Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology

PhD, Head of Department

Oleh Nedvyha, National Defence University of Ukraine

PhD, Deputy Head of the Department of Social Science

Olesya Tserkovnyak-Horodets'ka, Kruty Heroes Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology

PhD, Department Teacher

Natalia Logvinenko, Kruty Heroes Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology

PhD, Associate Professor

References

[1] Akaliyski, P., & Reeskens, T. (2024). Ukrainian values: between the Slavic-Orthodox legacy and Europe’s allure. European Societies, 26(2), 522–551. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2023.2206901 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2023.2206901

[2] Aladekomo, A. (2022). Russian aggression against Ukraine, sovereignty and international law. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4064020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4064020

[3] All-Ukrainian Population Census. (2001). All-Ukrainian population census 2001. http://2001.ukrcensus.gov.ua

[4] Asadzade, P., & Izadi, R. (2022). The reputational cost of military aggression: Evidence from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Research & Politics, 9(2), 205316802210983. https://doi.org/10.1177/20531680221098337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20531680221098337

[5] Averianova, N., & Voropaieva, T. (2020). Transformation of the collective identity of Ukrainian citizens after the Revolution of Dignity (2014–2019). Kyiv-Mohyla Humanities Journal, 7, 45–71. https://doi.org/10.18523/kmhj219654.2020-7.45-71 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18523/kmhj219654.2020-7.45-71

[6] Bilous, S. (2022). The influence of the Holodomor on worldview guidelines of modern Ukrainians: Philosophical and cultural analysis. Naukovyy Visnyk Dnipropetrovs'kogo Derzhavnogo Universytetu Vnutrishnikh Sprav, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.31733/2078-3566-2021-6-592-598 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31733/2078-3566-2021-6-592-598

[7] Boichak, O., & Jackson, S. (2019). From national identity to state legitimacy: Mobilizing digitally networked publics in eastern Ukraine. Media, War & Conflict, 13(3), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750635219829161 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1750635219829161

[8] Chayinska, M., Minescu, A., & McGarty, C. (2017). Political solidarity through action (and inaction): How international relations changed intracultural perceptions in Ukraine. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 20(3), 396–408. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430216682354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430216682354

[9] Devterov, I., Marukhovska-Kartunova, O., & Nikolenko, K. (2023). The philosophy of war in Ukrainian culture: A past to present. Futurity Philosophy, 2(2), 44–56. https://doi.org/10.57125/fp.2023.06.30.04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.57125/FP.2023.06.30.04

[10] Forsberg, T., & Pursiainen, C. (2017). The psychological dimension of Russian foreign policy: Putin and the annexation of Crimea. Global Society, 31(2), 220–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2016.1274963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2016.1274963

[11] Group Rating. (2022). The sixth national poll: The language issue in Ukraine (March 19th, 2022). https://ratinggroup.ua/en/research/ukraine/language_issue_in_ukraine_march_19th_2022.html

[12] Hai-Nyzhnyk, P. (2022). Russian-Ukrainian war – war for life (2014–2022): Periodization. In P. P. Hai-Nyzhnyk (Ed.), The Russian-Ukrainian war (2014–2022): Historical, political, cultural-educational, religious, economic, and legal aspects (pp. 452–465). Izdevnieciba “Baltija Publishing”. https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-223-4-55 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-223-4-55

[13] Halukha, L. (2024a). Analysis of achievements and prospects for the use of innovative technologies in the study of the history of Ukraine. Revista Amazonia Investiga, 13(82), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.34069/ai/2024.82.10.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2024.82.10.6

[14] Halukha, L. (2024b). Recent historical politics in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war: Analysing the paradigm shift in the world order. Futurity of Social Sciences, 2(3), 92–105. https://doi.org/10.57125/fs.2024.09.20.06 DOI: https://doi.org/10.57125/FS.2024.09.20.06

[15] Hodes, M. (2022). Thinking about young refugees’ mental health following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 135910452211256. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045221125639 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045221125639

[16] Hordiichuk, O. (2023). The ideological and ontological causes of Russia’s war on Ukraine. West versus East; tyranny versus democracy. Ethics in Progress, 14(1), 4–23. https://doi.org/10.14746/eip.2023.1.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/eip.2023.1.1

[17] Hurska, O., & Parshyn, I. (2023). Textbooks on the history of Ukraine as an element of the formation of historical memory 1991–2001 (using the figure of King Danylo Romanovych as an example). Humanities Science Current Issues, 2(60), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4863/60-2-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4863/60-2-2

[18] Kaminskyy, V. (2024). The role of e-learning during martial law: The Ukrainian experience. E-Learning Innovations Journal, 2(2), 52–79. https://doi.org/10.57125/elij.2024.09.25.04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.57125/ELIJ.2024.09.25.04

[19] Kaunert, C., & de Deus Pereira, J. (2023). EU Eastern Partnership, Ontological Security and EU- Ukraine/Russian warfare. Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/14782804.2023.2183182 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003528548-7

[20] KIIS. (2022). Attitude toward Stalin [Press release]. Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. https://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=606&page=1

[21] KIIS. (2022). Language and identity in Ukraine at the end of 2022 [Press release]. Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. https://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=1173&page=1

[22] KIIS. (2023). Perception of belonging to the Ukrainian nation [Press release]. Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. https://www.kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=reports&id=1458&page=1

[23] Kordan, B. (2022). Russia’s war against Ukraine: Historical narratives, geopolitics, and peace. Canadian Slavonic Papers, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00085006.2022.2107835 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00085006.2022.2107835

[24] Kostytsky, M. V., Onyshchenko, N. M., & Shevchenko, I. O. (2020). National identity in an emerging information society: Some problematic issues. Cuestiones Políticas, 38(Especial), 85–94. https://doi.org/10.46398/cuestpol.38e.05 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46398/cuestpol.38e.05

[25] Krasnoseletskіy, D. P. (2015). The phenomenon of Ukrainezation as factor of national consolidation of the Ukrainian society. Grani, 18(3), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.15421/1715056 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15421/1715056

[26] Kryvyzyuk, L., Karpenko, I., & Zakharchenko, L. (2021). The phenomenon of national security within postmodern cultures: Interests, values, mentality. Postmodern Openings, 12(3), 77–95. https://doi.org/10.18662/po/12.3/328 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18662/po/12.3/328

[27] Kulyk, V. (2016). Language and identity in Ukraine after Euromaidan. Thesis Eleven, 136(1), 90–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513616668621 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513616668621

[28] Kuzio, T. (2016). Soviet and Russian anti-(Ukrainian) nationalism and re-Stalinization. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 49(1), 87–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postcomstud.2015.12.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postcomstud.2015.12.005

[29] Kyrydon, A., & Troyan, S. (2022). The Russian-Ukrainian war (2014–2022): Basic preconditions and causes. Balkan Social Science Review, (20), 157–179. https://doi.org/10.46763/bssr2220157k DOI: https://doi.org/10.46763/BSSR2220157k

[30] Lunov, V., Demchenko, I., Voronenko, I., Bondarenko, A., & Smirnova, O. (2023). Psychological underpinnings of terror awareness: A comprehensive dive into Ukrainians’ perception of terrorist threats amidst war tensions. American Behavioral Scientist. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642231214083 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642231214083

[31] Lunov, V., Demchenko, I., Voronenko, I., Bondarenko, A., & Smirnova, O. (2022). The impact of Russian military aggression on the psychological health of Ukrainian youth. American Behavioral Scientist, 000276422211448. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642221144846 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642221144846

[32] Malovana, O. (2024). Media and information war as a precursor to Russian aggression against Ukraine. Cherkasy University Bulletin: Historical Sciences, (1), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.31651/2076-5908-2024-1-35-41 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31651/2076-5908-2024-1-35-41

[33] Melnyk, Y. (2022). Humanitarian crisis of civilization in the context of Russian aggression: Discursive-cultural and mental-worldview aspects. Journal of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 9(2), 79–86. https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnu.9.2.79-86 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnu.9.2.79-86

[34] Mereniuk, K., & Parshyn, I. (2024). Military units and symbolism: Utilization of imagery from medieval Rus in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Trames. Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 28(3), 293. https://doi.org/10.3176/tr.2024.3.05 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3176/tr.2024.3.05

[35] Mishalova, O., Hordiichuk, O., & Sokolovskyi, O. (2024). Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “war for identity” and appropriation of cultural tradition. Ethics in Progress, 15(1), 73–94. https://doi.org/10.14746/eip.2024.1.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/eip.2024.1.4

[36] Moseiko, A. H. (2022). Russian-Ukrainian war (2014–2022): Legal aspects. In A. H. Moseiko (Ed.), The Russian-Ukrainian war (2014–2022): Historical, political, cultural-educational, religious, economic, and legal aspects (pp. 1227–1234). Izdevnieciba “Baltija Publishing”. https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-223-4-153 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-223-4-153

[37] Pakhomenko, S., Tryma, K., & Francis, J. A. (2018). The Russian–Ukrainian war in Donbas: Historical memory as an instrument of information warfare. In S. Pakhomenko, K. Tryma, & J. A. Francis (Eds.), The use of force against Ukraine and international law (pp. 297–312). T.M.C. Asser Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6265-222-4_14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6265-222-4_14

[38] Pavlyshyn, M. (2016). Literary history as provocation of national identity, national identity as provocation of literary history. Thesis Eleven, 136(1), 74–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513616667657 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513616667657

[39] Seegel, S. (2016). Geography, identity, nationality: Mental maps of contested Russian-Ukrainian borderlands. Nationalities Papers, 44(3), 473–487. https://doi.org/10.1080/00905992.2015.1130029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00905992.2015.1130029

[40] Shchepetylnykova, I. (2023). Mending the divide: Intellectuals and intelligentsia in Ukrainian scholarly discourse. European Societies, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2023.2188084 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2023.2188084

[41] Ukraїner. (2021, November 24). What is the Ukrainian language? https://www.ukrainer.net/en/what-is-the-ukrainian-language/

[42] Zayarnyuk, A. (2022). Historians as enablers? Historiography, imperialism, and the legitimization of Russian aggression. East/West: Journal of Ukrainian Studies, 9(2), 191–212. https://doi.org/10.21226/ewjus754 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21226/ewjus754

Downloads

Published

2025-08-19

How to Cite

Krymets, L., Saienko, O., Nedvyha, O., Tserkovnyak-Horodets'ka, O., & Logvinenko, N. (2025). The Formation of Ukrainian National Identity in the Context of Russian Aggression: A Philosophical and Psychological Analysis. International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion, 7(SI1), 518–536. https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI1.153

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.