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The Untold Struggles and Resilient Spirit Behind Ukraine’s Battle for Independence
You might think you know Ukraine, but I guarantee these truths will surprise you. Here’s what keeps this nation determined to stay out of Russia’s grip.
When I first arrived in Ukraine in 1998 as part of a humanitarian trip, I was struck by a country at a crossroads.
Some Ukrainians held a deep nostalgia for the Soviet past, speaking Russian as naturally as breathing, while others, especially those from the Ukrainian diaspora who had returned to their ancestral homeland, were eager to cultivate a renewed Ukrainian identity.
For the next 20 years, I witnessed this complex struggle for identity unfold. Though it seemed like Russia was determined to complicate things, each act of interference, whether gas shutoffs in the middle of winter, inciting rebellion in the east, seizing Crimea, or launching a full-scale invasion, only hardened Ukraine’s resolve.
Today, Ukraine stands more united than ever, fighting for its very existence.
Its national identity forged and strengthened in the face of relentless challenges.
Below is a walk down memory lane connecting the past and the present…
1. Streets Lined with Ghosts of the Soviet Past
When I first set foot on Ukrainian soil, the streets seemed as ordinary as any other, until I started noticing the details.
There were buildings with faded outlines of Soviet emblems not long before removed, like empty scars on the walls.
You’d see old Soviet murals chipping away, right beside vibrant, new murals of Ukrainian heroes, revolutionaries, poets, and soldiers who defied their past.
It was like watching two worlds in a tug-of-war, a constant reminder of where this country came from and where it was going.
Yet, that was just the beginning of Ukraine’s fight for its identity. You’ll soon discover how even language itself holds clues to their independence…
2. Soviet Slang That Still Slipped into Daily Life
One night, as I negotiated a taxi fare with a driver, he mentioned the cost in “rubles.” I paused, confused. “Ruble? You mean hryvnia?” He nodded, chuckling.
It turned out some Ukrainians still called their currency “rubles,” slang, much like Americans saying “bucks” instead of “dollars.”
It’s a linguistic relic, a habit from Soviet days that crept into everyday conversation, a holdover in a country eager to shake off its Soviet past.
But these little slips reminded you just how fresh the past remained there.
If you thought language was all that lingered from those times, wait until you see the traditions that stand strong despite the years…
3. Why Even Flowers Follow Rules — and What Happens If You Don’t
Giving flowers sounds sweet and simple, right? Not in Ukraine.
Here, the rule is clear: only an odd number of flowers for the living. An even number is strictly for funerals.
My first attempt at this didn’t go well. I handed my date a dozen roses, and she stared at me, shocked, holding them like they’d bite. “Are you trying to curse me?” she asked, laughing but serious.
It turned out, even numbers are unlucky unless someone has passed, a cultural quirk Ukrainians take very seriously.
But flowers are just the beginning. Next up, the one day every March where men turn into chefs, florists, and poets all in one…
4. March 8th: The Day Men Become Chefs, Florists, and Poets
International Women’s Day in Ukraine isn’t your average holiday, it’s an event.
Every March 8th, Ukrainian men become master chefs, florists, and even poets for the day, showering the women in their lives with gifts, flowers, and home-cooked meals.
The streets are filled with men clutching roses like they’re in some dramatic movie scene.
And just when I thought the day was all about the romance, I discovered the secret twist: by evening, the celebration turns into a vodka-fueled marathon, with everyone raising a glass to the day’s hard work.
Think that’s wild? Wait until you hear how people get around in this country, or at least before smart phones— hint: there’s no app for it…
5. Hitching a Ride? Just Flag Down Your Neighbor’s Car
Forget Uber or Lyft. In 1998 Ukraine, if you needed a ride, you just stuck out your hand.
It wasn’t hitchhiking exactly, it was a Soviet-style carpooling like tradition that dates back to when public transport was unreliable, and anyone with a car could double as an “informal taxi” and pick up some extra cash. Gypsy cabs basically.
My first time trying it, I had no idea how much to pay, but I followed a friend’s advice: negotiate like a local, using a little slang and some humor in the bargaining.
Before I knew it, I was off to my destination in a stranger’s Lada, feeling like I’d stepped into a different era.
If that doesn’t surprise you, just wait until you see what’s considered a “topping” on pizza around there…
6. Mayonnaise on Pizza? Welcome to Ukraine’s Culinary Surprises
Ukrainian cuisine has its delights: varenyky, borscht, blini. But there’s one food that left me scratching my head: pizza with a big dollop of mayonnaise on top. That’s right, mayo.
The first time I bit into it, I couldn’t help but stare at my friend, waiting for her to laugh and tell me it was a joke. “What? You don’t like it?” she asked, genuinely surprised.
And it wasn’t just the mayo, pickled vegetables and fish also find their way onto pizzas here, a Ukrainian twist on an Italian classic.
If you think that’s unexpected, just wait until you see the one holiday you absolutely cannot miss…
7. Independence Day: Not Your Ordinary Celebration
Independence Day in Ukraine isn’t your typical “fireworks and barbecues (shashleek)” kind of affair.
Every August 24th, patriotic Ukrainians don traditional embroidered shirts, known as “vyshyvanka”, and take to the streets to celebrate breaking free from Soviet rule.
This isn’t just a party, it’s a symbol of resilience. People gather in squares, light candles, and sing the anthem with a reverence that’s palpable.
When I learned of some of the words, it all seemed very depressing. It starts something like this “Ukraine has not yet died”…
However, only years later, especially since the current Russian invasion, that I finally appreciate its beauty and just how fitting it truly is.
And if you think this sounds patriotic, let me assure you, this pride goes deeper than anything I’ve ever felt in the States.
Curious about who fuels this unbreakable spirit? Just wait until you meet the unsung heroes behind every family…
8. Babushkas: Ukraine’s Secret Weapon in a Headscarf
Everywhere you go in Ukraine, you see them: babushkas, those grandmothers wrapped in headscarves who could give the military a run for its money.
They’re at the market, they’re on the street, in the (subways) carrying bags that would collapse a bodybuilder, and they’ve seen it all.
These grandmothers have lived through wars, shortages, and Soviet oppression, and they’re not afraid to tell you how to survive.
Need directions, how to preserve strawberries or pickles grown at a Dacha? Just ask a babushka!
But beware: they don’t mince words, especially if they think you’re slacking off.
When the Russian invasion began there was scene with a babushka staring down a Russian tank.
When a Russian soldier approached her, she gave him sunflower seeds.
The Russian soldier thinking he was being welcomed by Ukrainian hospitality was horrified when the brave Ukrainian babushka told him: ‘Put these sunflower seeds in your pocket so they grow when you die’.
Think these ladies are tough? You won’t believe what they think of anyone trying to encroach on Ukraine’s independence…
9. The Line in the Sand: Why Ukraine Won’t Give Up an Inch
If there’s one thing that defines Ukraine, it’s their unyielding resolve to remain free.
Spend any time there, and you’ll feel it in every conversation, every mural, every worn-out Soviet emblem that’s been painted over or removed.
For Ukrainians, independence isn’t just history, it’s alive, stitched into the fabric of their society.
Their land isn’t something they’ll ever let slip away again.
Freedom isn’t just a right to them. It’s a promise they’ve made to themselves, to their ancestors, and to generations yet to come.
And that, my friends, is why Ukraine’s fight is about more than land. It’s about keeping a legacy alive and defending the soul of a nation.
So, the next time you hear about Ukraine in the news, remember, this fight is anything but ordinary.
David Peluchette is a Premium Ghostwriter/Travel and Tech Enthusiast. When David isn’t writing he enjoys traveling, learning new languages, fitness, hiking and going on long walks (did the 550 mile Camino de Santiago, not once but twice!), cooking, eating, reading and building niche websites with WordPress.