American Journal Of Philological Sciences
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VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue05 2025
PAGE NO.
1-4
Resisting Suppression: The Effect of Russian Cultural
Policies on Ukrainian National Identity
Maria Kuznetsova
Student of Slavic Studies, Kharkiv National University, Ukraine
Received:
03 March 2025;
Accepted:
02 April 2025;
Published:
01 May 2025
Abstract:
This article examines the impact of historical and ongoing Russian cultural suppression on the
development of Ukrainian national identity and the current level of national unity. It analyzes how policies and
practices aimed at diminishing Ukrainian language, culture, and historical narratives have shaped Ukrainian society
and contributed to its resilience in the face of external aggression. The study draws on historical accounts,
sociological research, and political analysis to explore the complex interplay between cultural suppression, identity
formation, and national cohesion in Ukraine.
Keywords:
Russian cultural suppression, Ukrainian identity, national cohesion, cultural resistance, historical
oppression, Ukraine-Russia relations, national resilience, cultural autonomy, political conflict, post-Soviet studies.
Introduction:
The relationship between Russia and
Ukraine is deeply rooted in a complex history, marked
by periods of both cooperation and conflict, but more
significantly, by a persistent pattern of Russian
dominance. A recurring and defining theme in this
relationship has been the systematic suppression of
Ukrainian culture and identity by the Russian state. This
suppression, implemented across both the Tsarist and
Soviet eras, represents a deliberate and multifaceted
effort to undermine Ukrainian nationhood (Kuzio,
1998; Plokhy, 2017). These policies have manifested in
various forms, each contributing to the erosion of
Ukrainian cultural distinctiveness. These include
restrictive linguistic policies that marginalized the
Ukrainian language, limitations on cultural expression
that stifled the development of a vibrant Ukrainian
cultural sphere, and the manipulation of historical
narratives to propagate a view of Ukraine as an integral
part of Russia, rather than a separate and sovereign
nation (Düben, 2020; Myshlovska, 2022).
The concept of national unity, which refers to the
degree to which a nation's people share a sense of
common identity, purpose, and belonging, is of
paramount importance. It is a crucial factor
determining a country's stability, resilience, and its
capacity to withstand internal divisions and external
threats. Benedict Anderson's influential concept of
"imagined communities" (2006) provides a theoretical
framework for understanding how national identity is
socially constructed and maintained through shared
symbols, narratives, and experiences. In this context,
the role of language, culture, and history in shaping a
collective identity is central. Furthermore, Maurice
Halbwachs's seminal work on collective memory (1992)
elucidates how shared historical experiences, both
positive and negative, shape a group's sense of self and
contribute to its cohesion or fragmentation. The
suppression of a group's cultural heritage, as
experienced by Ukrainians, represents a direct assault
on this collective memory and a challenge to the very
foundations of its national identity. This article explores
the ways in which Russian cultural suppression has
influenced these processes in Ukraine, shaping its
national identity, and ultimately, affecting its national
unity and its ability to resist external pressures.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of
the impact of Russian cultural suppression on the
formation of Ukrainian national identity and its role in
shaping national unity. It will delve into the historical
context of this suppression, dissect its various
manifestations across different periods, and assess its
profound and lasting effects on Ukrainian society. By
examining the interplay between cultural suppression,
identity formation, and national cohesion, the article
seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the
complex dynamics that have shaped the relationship
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
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2771-2273)
between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing struggle
for Ukrainian self-determination.
This article aims to analyze the impact of Russian
cultural suppression on the formation of Ukrainian
national identity and its role in shaping national unity.
It will examine the historical context of this
suppression, its various manifestations, and its effects
on Ukrainian society.
METHODS
This study employs a multidisciplinary approach,
drawing on historical analysis, sociological research,
and political science literature. The research
methodology includes:
•
Historical Analysis: Examination of primary
sources, such as legal documents, official decrees, and
archival materials, to trace the history of Russian
cultural policies towards Ukraine.
•
Literature Review: A comprehensive review of
scholarly articles, books, and reports on Ukrainian
history, culture, and identity.
•
Policy Analysis: Analysis of Ukrainian language
and cultural policies, particularly in the post-Soviet
period (Constitution of Ukraine, 1996; Law of Ukraine
No. 2704-VIII, 2019; Law of Ukraine No. 5029-VI, 2012;
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No.
852-r, 2020).
•
Sociological Studies: Review of sociological
surveys and research on Ukrainian national identity and
social cohesion (Chayinska et al., 2022).
RESULTS
The findings of this study reveal that Russian cultural
suppression has had a profound and multifaceted
impact on Ukrainian national identity and unity:
•
Linguistic Suppression: Policies aimed at
marginalizing the Ukrainian language, including
restricting its use in education, government, and
media, have been a consistent feature of Russian rule
(Iziumov, 1930; Kulyk, 2014; Law of the Ukrainian
Soviet Socialist Republic No. 8312-11, 1989).
•
Distorted
Historical
Narratives:
The
dissemination of historical narratives that minimize or
deny Ukrainian history and statehood has been used to
undermine
Ukrainian
identity
(Düben,
2020;
Myshlovska, 2022).
•
Religious Suppression: Attempts to control or
suppress the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been
employed to weaken Ukrainian cultural and spiritual
identity (Hunder & Humphries, 2022; Leustean &
Samokhvalov, 2019; Mamo, 2021).
•
Cultural Erasure: The suppression of Ukrainian
cultural expression, including literature, art, and music,
has aimed to diminish its significance (Chaika, 2023;
Chaika, 2024; National Gallery renames..., 2022).
•
Fostering Regional Divisions: These policies
have, paradoxically, contributed to a stronger sense of
Ukrainian identity in response to external pressure,
while also, in some periods, exacerbating regional
divisions within Ukraine, a key element in Russian
strategy (Feklyunina, 2016).
DISCUSSION
The historical and ongoing suppression of Ukrainian
culture by Russia has played a significant role in shaping
Ukrainian national identity and its current level of
national unity.
The long history of cultural suppression has contributed
to:
•
Strengthened National Identity: In response to
external pressure, Ukrainian identity has become more
defined and resilient (Gao, 2024; Wilson, 2022). This
aligns with social identity theory, which posits that
intergroup
conflict
can
strengthen
in-group
identification (Hogg, 2016; Tajfel & Turner, 2004).
•
Increased National Cohesion: The shared
experience of cultural suppression has fostered a sense
of collective memory and common fate, contributing to
greater national unity, particularly in the face of
Russian aggression (Wertsch & Roediger, 2008;
Wylegala & Głowacka
-Grajper, 2020).
•
Resistance to External Influence: Attempts to
undermine Ukrainian culture and history have been
met with resistance, reinforcing the desire for self-
determination and cultural preservation (Gramsci,
2020; Said, 1979; Vike, 2011).
The current conflict with Russia has further solidified
Ukrainian national unity, as Ukrainians from all regions
have united to defend their sovereignty and cultural
identity (Green et al., 2022; Snyder, 2010; Snyder,
2018; Subtelny, 2009). Reforms in education
(Education Reforms, 2017; New Ukrainian School, n.d.)
and language policy (Law of Ukraine No. 2704-VIII,
2019) also reflect a commitment to strengthening
Ukrainian identity and culture. The condemnation of
communist and Nazi regimes (Law of Ukraine No. 317-
VIII, 2015) is part of a broader effort to reclaim
Ukrainian history and break from the Soviet past and its
legacy. The Holodomor (Richardson-Smith, 2021) is a
key event in this re-narration of Ukrainian history.
CONCLUSION
Russian cultural suppression has been a persistent
factor in shaping Ukrainian national identity. While
intended to weaken and divide Ukraine, these policies
have, paradoxically, contributed to a stronger and
more unified national consciousness. The ongoing
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
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struggle against external aggression has further
solidified Ukrainian national unity, demonstrating the
resilience of a nation forged in the crucible of cultural
and political oppression.
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