Resisting Suppression: The Effect of Russian Cultural Policies on Ukrainian National Identity

Аннотация

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. framework for understanding how national identity is Introduction: The relationship between Russia and socially constructed and maintained through shared Ukraine is deeply rooted in a complex history, marked symbols, narratives, and experiences. In this context, by periods of both cooperation and conflict, but more the role of language, culture, and history in shaping a significantly, by a persistent pattern of Russian collective identity is central. Furthermore, Maurice dominance. A recurring and defining theme in this Halbwachs's seminal work on collective memory (1992) relationship has been the systematic suppression of elucidates how shared historical experiences, both Ukrainian culture and identity by the Russian state. This positive and negative, shape a group's sense of self and suppression, implemented across both the Tsarist and contribute to its cohesion or fragmentation. The Soviet eras, represents a deliberate and multifaceted suppression of a group's cultural heritage, as effort to undermine Ukrainian nationhood (Kuzio, experienced by Ukrainians, represents a direct assault 1998; Plokhy, 2017). These policies have manifested in on this collective memory and a challenge to the very various forms, each contributing to the erosion of foundations of its national identity. This article explores Ukrainian cultural distinctiveness. These include the ways in which Russian cultural suppression has restrictive linguistic policies that marginalized the influenced these processes in Ukraine, shaping its Ukrainian language, limitations on cultural expression national identity, and ultimately, affecting its national that stifled the development of a vibrant Ukrainian unity and its ability to resist external pressures. cultural sphere, and the manipulation of historical narratives to propagate a view of Ukraine as an integral This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of part of Russia, rather than a separate and sovereign the impact of Russian cultural suppression on the nation (Düben, 2020; Myshlovska, 2022). formation of Ukrainian national identity and its role in shaping national unity. It will delve into the historical The concept of national unity, which refers to the context of this suppression, dissect its various degree to which a nation's people share a sense of manifestations across different periods, and assess its common identity, purpose, and belonging, is of profound and lasting effects on Ukrainian society. By paramount importance. It is a crucial factor examining the interplay between cultural suppression, determining a country's stability, resilience, and its identity formation, and national cohesion, the article capacity to withstand internal divisions and external seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the threats. Benedict Anderson's influential concept of complex dynamics that have shaped the relationship "imagined communities" (2006) provides a theoretical American Journal Of Philological Sciences 1 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN – 2771-2273) between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing struggle has aimed to diminish its significance (Chaika, 2023; for Ukrainian self-determination. Chaika, 2024; National Gallery renames..., 2022). This article aims to analyze the impact of Russian • Fostering Regional Divisions: These policies cultural suppression on the formation of Ukrainian have, paradoxically, contributed to a stronger sense of national identity and its role in shaping national unity. Ukrainian identity in response to external pressure, It will examine the historical context of this while also, in some periods, exacerbating regional suppression, its various manifestations, and its effects divisions within Ukraine, a key element in Russian on Ukrainian society. strategy (Feklyunina, 2016). METHODS DISCUSSION This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, The historical and ongoing suppression of Ukrainian drawing on historical analysis, sociological research, culture by Russia has played a significant role in shaping and political science literature. The research Ukrainian national identity and