Історія та археологія

DEVELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN LUTSK IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE ХІХTH – FIRST THIRD OF THE ХХTH CENTURY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ONE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION)

2026-05-18T14:51:40+03:00

Using the example of the history of the foundation and reorganization of one educational institution, to show the features of the formation and development of the secondary education system in Lutsk in different socio-political circumstances. The study first traced the formation and development of one educational institution and its reorganization in different socio-political conditions. The history of the formation of the male progymnasium (gymnasium) in Lutsk during the Russian Empire is reflected, and it is also traced how the Lutsk Ukrainian Gymnasium functioned on its basis already during the ІІ Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was established that the formation of the education system in Volyn in general, and in Lutsk in particular, took place in difficult sociopolitical conditions. In the ХІХth century. our territories were part of the Russian Empire, whose government, trying to follow the trends of that time, imitating European states, but with a great delay, began to form its own system of educational institutions. How this process took place is well illustrated by the history of the foundation in the 1890s and the activities of the men's progymnasium (later reorganized into a gymnasium). The foundation of this institution dragged on for years due to the procrastination of the authorities, especially the central authorities, who believed that Lutsk did not need an educational institution of the gymnasium type, but instead it would be worth creating a workers' school here. However, the gymnasium was created. During the Great War, it was evacuated to the Kursk province. After returning to Lutsk in 1918, the gymnasium was headed by Ivan Vlasovsky. A well-known and experienced teacher, a representative of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, taking advantage of the opportunity, initiated the creation of a Ukrainian gymnasium on the basis of this institution. The Lutsk Ukrainian gymnasium became a center of Ukrainian culture in the sociopolitical conditions of the ІІ Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. A plan was developed for its development, but 1939 changed everything. The new Soviet authorities closed the Lutsk Ukrainian Gymnasium on December 1. The Lutsk Pedagogical School of the Volyn Region was opened in the building where it operated. The Soviet authorities understood well that reliable and correct teachers were needed to establish their ideology.

PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES OF THE KYIV STEAM BOILER SUPERVISION SOCIETY (1911–1915): STRUCTURE, CONTENT, AND ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

2026-05-18T14:54:26+03:00

The article examines the process of the formation of the publishing activity of the Kyiv Society for Supervision of Steam Boilers as an important component of the development of scientific and technical periodicals in Dnieper Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century. Based on archival materials, the history of the creation of the magazine "News of the Kyiv Society for Supervision of Steam Boilers", which began publication in 1911, is presented. The structure, thematic content and evolution of the journal, which combined regulatory and legal materials, scientific articles, practical recommendations, accident analysis, reviews of the latest designs and technical improvements, bibliographical reviews and professional discussion, are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the editorial policy of the publication, which consisted in increasing the share of original publications and expanding the circle of authors, among whom leading specialists in the field of steam technology prevailed. The financial principles of the journal’s functioning, its free distribution among members of the Society and the gradual increase in the number of third-party subscribers are highlighted. It is shown that the publication performed not only an informational, but also a consolidating and educational function, contributing to the formation of a professional community of mechanical engineers and heat engineers of the region. The position of the Board on preserving the independence of the printed organ and refusing to merge with the Moscow publication is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the functioning of the magazine in the conditions of the First World War, when, despite the shortage of resources and economic difficulties, the editorial staff managed to maintain the periodicity of the publication and increase the volume of publications. It is determined that the publishing activity of the Society, which also included the release of specialized manuals for technical personnel (stokers), played a key role in popularizing knowledge, increasing technical culture at enterprises, ensuring industrial safety and forming the professional identity of the Ukrainian engineering community. It is proven that the publishing activity of the Society became an important stage in the formation of technical journalism in Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century and provided an effective platform for scientific and information exchange and professional growth of specialists in the field of thermal energy.

THE FIRST COMPUTER VIRUSES: THE BEGINNING OF THE HISTORY OF CYBER THREATS (1970S – EARLY 1990S)

2026-05-18T14:56:52+03:00

The article investigates the emergence and evolution of the first computer viruses in the context of the history of cyber threats, focusing on the period of the 1980s. The theoretical prerequisites for creating self-replicating programs are examined, starting with John von Neumann's concepts of self-reproducing automata. The scientific work of Fred Cohen, who in 1983 first formalized the concept of a computer virus and experimentally proved the potential danger of viral programs, is analyzed. The history of creation and spread of the first viruses is covered: Creeper (1971), Reaper (1971), Elk Cloner (1982), Brain (1986), Jerusalem (1987), Cascade (1987), as well as the Morris network worm (1988). The technical features of early viruses, mechanisms of their functioning, and consequences of their spread are characterized. Special attention is paid to the transformation of virus authors' motivations – from academic experiments to deliberate harm. The socio-economic consequences of viral epidemics of the 1980s are investigated, including the formation of the antivirus industry, changes in corporate approaches to information security, and the emergence of new social practices in interaction with computer systems. The relationship between principles embedded in early computer viruses and modern cyber threats is established. The importance of studying the history of the first viruses for understanding the fundamental principles of malware functioning and developing effective cyber defense strategies in modern conditions is substantiated. Key lessons from the history of early computer viruses that have practical significance for modern cybersecurity specialists are presented. The conducted research fills an existing gap in Ukrainian historiography regarding the historical analysis of cyber threats' origins, systematizing and contextualizing the development of computer viruses as an important phenomenon in the history of science and technology.

AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY AND DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS AS AID IN DOCUMENTING ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARKS: ON THE PROJECT “HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE DONETSK REGION”

2026-05-18T14:59:56+03:00

This article examines the potential for integrating methods from auxiliary sciences of history with modern digital tools in documenting the architectural heritage of Donetsk region under conditions of war and limited access to sites in temporarily occupied territories. The study is relevant due to the extensive destruction of historical and architectural monuments, as well as the underrepresentation of rural areas in official cultural heritage registers. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the effectiveness of combining auxiliary historical methods with contemporary digital technologies for documenting, verifying, and preserving Donetsk’s architectural heritage, particularly in situations of restricted access, and to highlight practical and methodological approaches to restoring the historical and cultural landscape using the case study of the “Historical-Cultural Heritage of Donetsk Region” project, focusing on objects such as the Bantysh family estates, and urban developments in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk, and Boikivske. Methodologically, the research draws on approaches from historical geography, topography, monument studies, and concepts of historical memory, allowing architectural objects to be considered as components of the historical-cultural landscape and instruments for representing regional identity. The empirical basis comprises materials from the "Historical and cultural heritage of Donetsk Region” project, particularly the cases of the Bantysh family estates and Boikivske settlement community landmarks. By analyzing imagery from different periods, archival sources, and open geoinformation resources, the study identifies sites, clarifies their locations, and traces transformation dynamics during Ukraine’s independence and amid Russian aggression. The study concludes that combining the tools of auxiliary historical disciplines with digital remote sensing methods provides a scientifically grounded basis for creating a digital register of lost and preserved architecture in Donetsk, countering distortions of information, and laying the groundwork for future restoration and reconstruction of the region’s historical environment.

MYKOLA TOVKAYLO'S ROLE IN THE REVIVAL OF THE UNIQUE TRADITION OF KOBZAR AND LYR PLAYING IN UKRAINE

2026-05-18T15:02:36+03:00

Mykola Tovkaylo (born 1949) is a master of the Kyiv Kobzar Workshop, a master of making kobzar instruments, a performer of the kobzar repertoire, and a scholar and archaeologist. He was at the origins of the creation of the Kobzar School in Pereyaslav, where the main goal was to revive the ancient tradition of kobzar playing and kobzar workshops in Ukraine. Today in Ukraine there are three workshops: Kyiv and Kharkiv Kobzar Workshop and Lviv Lyrnik Workshop. Kyiv Kobzar Workshop was created in the 1980s. and at its origins stood G. K. Tkachenko (1898 – 1993) – a famous bandurist and artist. In the distant 20s of the XX century. he studied with the outstanding kobzar Petro Drevchenko, preserved and conveyed the kobzar science and passed it on to his students in the 80s of the XX century. The first master of the Kyiv Kobzar Workshop was Mykola Petrovich Budnyk (1953 – 2001). After Budnyk’s death, the Kyiv Kobzar Workshop has been headed by M. T. Tovkaylo to this day. All the brothers of the Kyiv Kobzar Workshop, headed by Mykola Tovkaylo, as well as the brothers of the Kharkiv Kobzar Workshop (master of the workshop Kost’ Cheremskyi) and the Lviv Lyrnik Workshop (master of the workshop Yaroslav Krysko) – have been doing great work for 40 years to return the folk diatonic bandura, Veresayev kobza, wheel lyre, torban, and lute to the musical space of Ukraine. As a result of this activity, at the initiative of G. K. Tkachenko, the employees of the Reserve, headed by M. I. Sikorsky, in 1989, the Museum of Kobzarism in Pereyaslav was solemnly opened (today it is part of the National Historical and Ethnographic Reserve "Pereyaslav"). The activities of the Kyiv Kobzarism Workshop – the workshop master M. T. Tovkaylo, together with the Museum of Kobzarism, carry out active educational activities among visitors to the institution, and in every possible way popularize the artificially destroyed traditional culture of Ukrainians – kobzarism and lyrnik playing. At the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which took place on December 5, 2024 in Paraguay, the Ukrainian “Program for the Safeguarding of the Kobzar-Lyrny Tradition” was included in the Register of Good Practices for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations (UNESCO).

THE FORMATION OF HIGHER LEGAL EDUCATION IN UKRAINIAN LANDS AS THE MAIN FACTOR OF THE PHENOMENON OF THE “LAWYER’S AGE” IN THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOVEMENT OF THE LATE 19TH – EARLY 20TH CENTURIES

2026-05-18T15:05:49+03:00

This study examines the development of legal education in the Ukrainian lands during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and its role in the emergence of a socio-political phenomenon commonly referred to as the «lawyer’s age». The research demonstrates that the most favorable conditions for the training of legal professionals developed in the western Ukrainian regions, particularly in Galicia, where the Lviv University became a major center of legal education. The rapid increase in the number of law students in the late nineteenth century was driven by the growing demand for legal services, the relatively independent professional status of advocates, opportunities for career advancement, and the comparatively accessible conditions of study. The curriculum of the law faculty encompassed the principal branches of European legal scholarship, and some courses were delivered in the Ukrainian language. An important role in the training of legal professionals was also played by Chernivtsi University, which contributed to the formation of a Bukovinian scholarly community. The article also explores the specific features of legal education in the universities of Central and Eastern Ukraine – Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Novorossiysk. The educational process in these institutions was regulated by the university statutes of the Russian Empire, required mandatory attendance at lectures and practical classes, and excluded the use of the Ukrainian language in teaching. At the same time, the state provided partial financial support for students, primarily those intending to pursue careers in public service. The study further analyzes the formation of the academic staff of law faculties. In the western Ukrainian regions, the teaching staff was initially composed largely of scholars educated at European universities, whereas in Central and Eastern Ukraine an important role was played by graduates of Russian higher education institutions as well as by the universities’ own alumni. Differences in research priorities are also identified: historical-legal studies predominated in the academic tradition of the Russian Empire, while scholars in Galicia and Bukovina paid greater attention to political and economic issues. Particular attention is given to the active civic and political engagement of professors and students of law faculties. They participated in scholarly societies, cultural and educational organizations, and political movements. The combination of academic work with legal practice contributed to the development of students’ professional skills and strengthened the connection between legal theory and legal practice. The study concludes that the development of legal education in Ukrainian universities in the nineteenth century contributed to the emergence of an influential socio-professional group of advocates who played a significant role in the cultural, educational, and socio-political life of Ukrainian society. Their professional independence, legal expertise, and active civic engagement facilitated the dissemination of modernization ideas and the development of the national public movement.

POPULARIZATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AS PART OF PUBLIC HISTORY IN UKRAINE AFTER 2014

2026-05-18T12:46:35+03:00

The Russian-Ukrainian war, which has been ongoing since 2014, has served as a catalyst for the development of public history. This was primarily due to the impact of Russian propaganda on Ukrainian society, as well as the numerous myths and manipulations surrounding history. It is precisely because the Russian Federation is waging war against Ukraine that Ukrainian society has become more interested in the past, and this has created a demand for explanations of historical and archaeological issues in various formats, rather than solely through academic works. Archaeological topics have taken a prominent place in public history projects in Ukraine since 2014. First and foremost, we can mention a project by Ukrainian historians called "LIKBEZ. The Historical Front", which was established in 2014 with the aim of countering Russian propaganda and explaining the history of Ukraine through popular science books, lectures and historical festivals. The non-fiction book series "History Uncensored" explores the prehistoric era and the Middle Ages in Ukraine, drawing on the latest research by Ukrainian archaeologists. We should highlight the following media outlets that specialise in history and cover archaeological research: "Historical Truth", "Local History". Ukrainian archaeologists participate in podcasts and programmes for various historical projects on YouTube, such as "History Without Myths" and productions by Wild Fox Film. Among the most active commentators in the media, it is worth mentioning Yevhen Synytsia – Associate Professor at the Department of Archaeology and Museology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv – and Leonid Zaliznyak – Head of the Stone Age Archaeology Department at the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. We should note the following feature of archaeology in the context of public history – the factor of antiscientific hypotheses claiming that "the Black Sea was dug by the Ukrs", "Jesus Christ was from Galicia" or "the Trypillians were Ukrainians". For various reasons, such fakes and manipulations still exist in Ukraine’s information space, which is why the popularisation of archaeological research must remain one of the priorities of Ukrainian humanitarian policy.

VASYL ZLATARSKY: RESEARCH ON THE FIRST BULGARIAN CAPITAL OF ABOBA-PLISKA

2026-05-18T12:48:59+03:00

This article examines Vasyl Zlatarsky’s contribution to the development of Bulgarian archaeology and history. It traces his educational journey, including his studies at the Faculty of History and Philology at the Imperial University of St. Petersburg and his subsequent specialization in archaeology at the Royal Friedrich- Wilhelm University (now Humboldt University of Berlin). An important stage in his academic training was his internship at the Berlin museums (Altes, Neues, and Völkerkunde museums), which laid the foundation for his later archaeological research. The article highlights Zlatarsky’s first archaeological excavations in Preslav in 1897. In 1899, he participated in the excavations at Aboba-Pliska, leading to the discovery of significant sites that confirmed the hypothesis that Pliska was the first Bulgarian capital. Particular attention is given to his presentation at the 11th Archaeological Congress in Kyiv (1899), where he delivered the report “Where to Look for the First Bulgarian Capital.” This report marked a significant shift from his previous views. Zlatarsky substantiated his hypothesis about Pliska by synthesizing archaeological, cartographic, and Byzantine written sources, alongside the scholarly research of his colleagues K. Jireček and K. Škorpil. Furthermore, the article analyzes the evolution of his theory—from initial assumptions regarding Preslav to the definitive recognition of Pliska as the first capital in his seminal work, History of the Bulgarian State in the Middle Ages (1918). Zlatarsky effectively integrated archaeological data into the historical narrative, making a significant contribution to the development of Bulgarian medieval archaeology and the formation of Bulgarian national historiography.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF CENTRAL UKRAINE IN THE PERIOD OF INDEPENDENCE (BASED ON THE WORK OF KRYVYI RIH STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY)

2026-05-18T12:53:42+03:00

The article is devoted to the history of archaeological studies at Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University during the period of Ukrainian independence. These studies were mainly carried out in the form of specialised practical training conducted through archaeological expeditions. Museum studies also played an important role. The article addresses the issue of archaeological research in the training of future specialists and in students’ career guidance. It analyses the work of educational and training practices as well as the field archaeological school in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion. The first archaeological practices at Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University laid the foundations for traditions and for an understanding of the importance and necessity of such activities. The participation of future teachers of history, geography, and law in expeditions in the Kryvyi Rih, Kirovohrad, and Cherkasy regions is described. The main archaeological sites are presented, the study of which contributed to the acquisition of specialised knowledge, skills, and competencies. Among them are burial mounds from the Bronze Age and the Scythian period, settlement sites, including the Motronyn hillfort of the Scythian period, and the Early Iron Age sanctuary of Girk. The university has a rich history of such studies, which can be divided into several chronological stages. The role of the teachers of the higher education institution who led student groups is examined. The article also considers the contribution of the staff of the Kryvyi Rih Museum of History and Local Lore, which served as an indispensable base for the university’s work. In addition, it analyses the research of the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, whose expeditions are currently used for practical training. Over the years, some students have pursued professional careers as educators, lecturers, archaeologists, and museum curators, working productively in research institutions, higher education establishments, and museums. Many of them are volunteers who contribute to the study and preservation of our historical and cultural heritage. This once again demonstrates the necessity and importance of the field archaeology school, with its integrated theoretical and practical components, as an essential part of the educational process and the training of young professionals – especially archaeologists, whom Ukraine so urgently needs.

KNIVES OF THE SKYTHIAN PERIOD IN THE SOUTH OF THE DNIPRO FOREST-STEPPE RIGHT BANK REGION (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF THE SVITLOVODSKY BURIAL GROUND)

2026-05-18T12:58:31+03:00

The article examines knives of the Scythian period discovered in the southern part of the Dnipro Right- Bank Forest-Steppe, specifically those recovered from the Svitlovodsk burial ground in the Kirovohrad region. The Svitlovodsk burial ground is one of the largest and best-studied Early Iron Age burial sites in the Northern Black Sea region. Excavations were conducted over eleven field seasons in 1975–1986 and 1989–1990 by expeditions of the Kirovohrad Regional Museum and the Kirovohrad Pedagogical Institute under the direction of N. M. Bokii and I. A. Kozyr. A total of 161 Scythian burials have been investigated at the site. Several of them date to the Middle Scythian period, while the majority belong to the 4th century BC. The necropolis is believed to have belonged to a relatively large but socially ordinary community. The most common categories of grave goods include weapons and jewelry. Knives represent one of the most frequent tools deposited in the graves with the deceased. In total, 71 knives were recovered from 62 burials (over 38% of the total number). Evidence from undisturbed graves suggests that the proportion of burials containing knives may originally have been much higher (up to 73%). In most cases knives were placed together with food offerings for the deceased (40 out of 44 cases where the position of the artifact could be established). In two additional cases knives were found together with a horytos. In most burials only one knife accompanied the deceased, while two knives were recorded in nine graves. All knives from Svitlovodsk are made of iron. Specimens with bone handles significantly outnumber those with wooden handles (62 % versus 37 %). The handles were attached to the blade tang with iron rivets. The large number of knives discovered at the Svitlovodsk burial ground demonstrates their widespread use in various aspects of everyday life among the population of the Scythian period.

SCYTHIAN BARROW No. 25 NEAR VILSHANKA IN THE SYNYUKHA RIVER BASIN

2026-05-18T13:02:00+03:00

This article presents the results of excavations of a Scythian-period burial mound located near the village of Vilshanka, Holovanivskyi District, Kirovohrad Region. Mound No. 25 formed part of a burial ground comprising ten mounds. The site was investigated by an archaeological expedition of the Kirovohrad Regional Museum of Local History under the direction of N. M. Bokii in 1968–1970. The artifacts recovered during the excavations are currently housed in the collections of the Central Ukrainian Regional Museum of Local History and the Vilshanka Local History Museum, and have only been partially published to date. Beneath the mound, a burial was discovered in a trapezoidal pit with steps. Around the grave, the remains of a substantial wooden covering and a stone kerb were uncovered. In the Scythian period, the mound was encircled by a ditch. The burial had been looted in antiquity, which significantly complicates its interpretation. The fill of the pit contained bronze plates and iron armour plates, bronze arrowheads, and a decorative conical fitting. Remains of sacrificial meat offerings were also recorded, representing an important element of the funerary rite. The bronze arrowheads provide the basis for dating the complex to the 5th century BC. An analysis of the burial rite and associated material culture suggests that the interment belonged to a warrior. The funerary practices observed in Barrow No. 25 show close parallels with those documented in Mound No. 32 excavated nearby, as well as with other sites in the Synyukha River basin. Comparative analysis, together with materials from other mounds of the Vilshanka burial ground, indicates that the complex may be attributed to representatives of the Scythian military elite. The burial also displays features characteristic of steppe traditions, reflecting interactions between the forest-steppe and nomadic cultural environments in this region.

FEMINIST ARCHAEOLOGY: RECONSIDERING GENDER ROLES IN HUMAN HISTORY

2026-05-18T13:06:20+03:00

The article examines the main positions of feminist archaeology as a direction of scientific research. For the first time, the ideas of feminist archaeology were formulated by M. Konki and D. Spector, they also formulated the goal – to identify and confirm the presence of women at archaeological sites. The ideas of feminist archaeology are covered in a large number of scientific works by Western researchers. They are mainly devoted to the analysis of the results of field archaeological research of different time sites in different regions of the planet. The article characterizes the main ideas of feminist archaeology, which opposes the traditional, androcentric vision of history. Supporters of feminist archaeology criticize traditional gender models – the active role of men and the passive role of women. Based on the work of Western European, American and Ukrainian researchers, the authors prove the possibility of recreating the real position of women, their role in the economy and society from the Stone Age to the Early Iron Age, through the analysis of archaeological finds. When studying archaeological sites, it is important to consider the spatial location and distribution of artifacts associated with women. This indicates their place in the residential building and outside it. Biometric studies are also important. We see that in assessing the female presence in history, generalizations and simplifications should be avoided. In conclusion, we note that feminism as a socio-political movement also had an impact on the scientific field, in particular on archaeology. First of all, women archaeologists had to prove the failure of the androcentric approach to the study and interpretation of the history of mankind, as well as to prove their professionalism and ability to conduct independent research. As a result, a significant amount of scientific material has been accumulated, which allows us to highlight the role of women in different historical periods as artisans, as hunters, as warriors. This area of research is only just beginning in Ukraine, but it has significant prospects for rethinking the already accumulated archaeological material.

CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTING STATE ETHNIC POLICY BY THE MIGRATION SERVICE AUTHORITIES OF CHERNIVTSI REGION (2003–2004)

2026-05-18T13:31:28+03:00

Based on previously unpublished documents, this article reveals the peculiarities of cultural and educational mechanisms for implementing state ethnic policy by the migration service authorities of the Chernivtsi region in 2003–2004. The early 2000s marked the beginning of a new approach to ethnic policy, in which the migration service authorities not only performed control functions but also actively participated in the social and cultural integration of Ukrainian communities abroad. Adherence to the principles of historicism, objectivity, and systematicity as the methodological basis of the study contributed to a comprehensive analysis of the activities of the region's migration service authorities during the specified period. This approach made it possible to move away from a narrow regional focus and present the functioning of the migration service authorities in the Chernivtsi region as a relevant component of the process of implementing a nationally consolidated policy in the field of migration. The introduction of previously unknown archival sources into scientific circulation has made it possible to thoroughly investigate communication mechanisms and trace the evolution of strategic partnership with the diaspora in the context of turbulent domestic political processes. Systemic obstacles that negated the potential for constructive communication in the educational, cultural, and linguistic vectors of interaction were identified. Key practical achievements were identified that demonstrated effectiveness in supporting and preserving the ethnocultural identity of Ukrainians abroad. The dominant nature of cooperation was focused on interinstitutional interaction between educational institutions in the region and public associations of Ukrainians abroad. The intensification of information activities ensured coverage of the challenges facing the diaspora and support for domestic book publishing. The coordinating influence of the region's migration service authorities in providing Ukrainian-language literature to Ukrainian diaspora communities ensured an adequate level of study of Ukrainian history and culture. It has been proven that the participation of the region's migration authorities in ensuring the rights and interests of Ukrainians abroad has become an instrumental basis for preserving objects of historical memory outside Ukraine.

THE 2014 OCCUPATION OF CRIMEA: PERSPECTIVES ON THE MECHANISMS OF MILITARY-POLITICAL AND INFORMATION AGGRESSION

2026-05-18T13:33:46+03:00

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the preparation, mechanisms of implementation, and information-political support of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014. The study examines the process of forming the prerequisites for the implementation of the Russian scenario of hybrid aggression, which effectively began with the proclamation of Ukraine’s independence and became systemic after the "Crimean crisis" of 1992–1994. Particular attention is paid to the long-term activities of Russian state institutions, special services, cultural and public organizations aimed at creating a favorable informational and political environment on the peninsula for the implementation of the project of the "return of Crimea". The article analyzes the role of a network of pro-Russian political parties, public organizations, media outlets, and cultural initiatives that shaped the narrative in public consciousness portraying Crimea as a "historically Russian territory". Considerable attention is devoted to the use of so-called "soft power" instruments, including the activities of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Foundation for the Support of Compatriots Abroad, as well as Russian diplomatic and consular institutions that carried out information and propaganda influence under the guise of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The military component of the operation is also examined, particularly the use of the infrastructure of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the activities of reconnaissance and sabotage groups, the formation of paramilitary structures such as the so-called "Crimean self-defense forces", and their interaction with regular units of the Russian armed forces. The key stages of the occupation are analyzed, from the organization of pro-Russian rallies and the destabilization of the socio-political situation to the seizure of administrative buildings, the blockade of Ukrainian military units, and the organization of the pseudo-referendum on March 16, 2014. Special attention is paid to information and psychological operations aimed at constructing the image of a "Ukrainian threat", mobilizing pro-Russian elements of the population, and creating the illusion of mass support for the annexation. It is demonstrated that the information component of the operation was an integral part of the military aggression and played a crucial role in demoralizing Ukrainian forces and legitimizing the actions of the Russian Federation. The study concludes that the occupation of Crimea was the result of long-term and comprehensive preparation that combined military, informational, political, and social instruments of influence. The experience of this operation demonstrates the characteristic features of modern hybrid warfare, in which information and psychological operations, manipulation of public opinion, the use of networks of agents of influence, and local collaborationist structures become key instruments.

GENESIS AND STRATEGIC FUNCTIONS OF RUS CITIES IN THE SCHOLARLY HERITAGE OF VASYL LIASKORONSKYI

2026-05-18T13:36:42+03:00

The figure of Vasyl Hryhorovych Liaskoronskyi (1859–1928) occupies a distinctive place in Ukrainian medieval historiography as a researcher who was among the first to synthesize the historical analysis of written sources with large-scale field archaeological and topographical surveys. In the context of the contemporary revision of state-building concepts and the decolonization of humanitarian knowledge, revisiting Liaskoronsky's legacy allows for a re-evaluation of the role of the military-strategic factor in shaping the settlement network of Old Rus. The study of his views on the nature of the hillforts (horodyshcha) in the Posullia and Pereiaslav regions is critically important for understanding the genesis of the city as an autonomous defensive and administrative hub that withstood the challenges posed by the nomadic Steppe. The aim of the article is a systematic reconstruction and comprehensive analysis of V. H. Liaskoronsky's scientific concept regarding the origin, functions, and morphological characteristics of Rus cities, as well as the determination of his contribution to the formation of national historical geography. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity. The study employs the historiographical method (to analyze the evolution of the scholar's views), comparative-historical analysis (to contrast his ideas with the theories of M. Hrushevskyi and V. Kliuchevskyi), and the method of structural-functional analysis (to study the typology of defensive structures proposed by the author). The article proves that V. Liaskoronskyi formulated a coherent "statist-strategic" model of urban origins. In contrast to representatives of the "trade school," the researcher substantiated the priority of the defensive function, viewing the city primarily as a result of deliberate princely policy aimed at strengthening frontier defense lines. The role of landscape determinism in Liaskoronsky's concept is revealed, where natural conditions (capes, ravines, river floodplains) were regarded as a fundamental factor in selecting sites for urban formation. It is established that the researcher's works laid the methodological foundation for modern historical urban studies by integrating the economic functions of urban hubs with their military roles. V. Liaskoronsky's scientific contribution allowed for overcoming the abstraction of "armchair" theories by providing material-topographical evidence to the study of Rus cities. The leading role of state initiative and defensive expediency substantiated by him remains fundamental to understanding the processes of sociopolitical consolidation of the Kyivan state.

STATE POLICY OF RUSSIANIZATION OF UKRAINIAN SCHOOL YOUTH (SECOND HALF OF THE 1940S – 1960S)

2026-05-18T14:12:45+03:00

The relevance of analysing the proposed problem is driven by several factors, notably the difficult situation in which contemporary Ukraine finds itself. In general, this concerns the historical experience of readiness to effectively address national security tasks amid the intensification of an information (hybrid) warfare, as well as repelling armed aggression. The authors understand the term «Russianization» as a set of views and actions aimed at the artificial assimilation of subjugated peoples (primarily Ukrainians), the forced introduction of the Russian language, culture, and customs, thereby strengthening Russian (imperial) domination. A special place in the long-term policy of Russianization belongs to its Soviet (Russian-communist) variation, which the authors have singled out as a specific field of research. The article demonstrates that the policy of Russianization in the Ukrainian SSR during the first post-war decades was a kind of continuation of former imperial traditions of subjugation. This occurred despite the fact that officially the Bolsheviks and their leaders categorically rejected their connection to the Romanov monarchy and autocracy as such. It is emphasised that the language issue played an important role in the policy of Russianization of school and university youth during the «late» rule of J. Stalin and N. Khrushchev. Based on the analysis of statistical data and other sources, the authors prove that the liberalisation of socio-political life, which occurred in the second half of the 1950s and the first half of the 1960s, hardly mitigated «linguistic» Russianization at all. Moreover, during this period, this policy even intensified. Overall, the communist regime acted cynically in its attitude toward Ukrainian youth as representatives of a distinct nation. It restricted the public use of their native language, the study of authentic history, and ultimately, the acquisition of an entire world of knowledge, reflections, feelings, and more. At the same time, it did not hesitate to manipulate the thoughts and desires of the people themselves.

HISTORICAL LOCAL STUDIES AND HISTORICAL REGIONALISM: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CONCEPTS (A HISTORIOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE)

2026-05-18T14:16:01+03:00

The article, based on historiographical analysis, examines the definitions of the concepts of historical regionalism and historical local studies, highlighting their similarities and differences. The research is grounded in the works of prominent contemporary scholars specializing in local history and regional studies. The importance and relevance of addressing the relationship between historical regionalism and historical local studies, as well as clarifying the specific features of their theoretical and methodological foundations, are determined by the need to reconsider their essence and functions in the contemporary conditions of life in Ukraine on the basis of modern historiography. The results of such studies will make it possible to apply their rich and diverse achievements in a well-founded and balanced manner in practical activities, as instruments for countering the challenges of the information war and as means of fostering patriotism and national selfidentification among Ukrainian citizens. The purpose of the article is to analyze historiographical interpretations of the concepts of historical regionalism and historical local studies; to demonstrate the specific features, role, and place of these two branches of local history; on the basis of works by leading scholars, to characterize the concepts of regionalism and local studies as broader categories than historical regionalism and historical local studies; and to present, in the conclusions, the author’s interpretation of the correlation between historical regionalism and historical local studies in the context of modern approaches to their development in Ukrainian historiography. The conclusions demonstrate that the two major branches of local history – historical local studies and historical regionalism – possess both distinctive features and common characteristics. Developing alongside each other and mutually enriching one another, they should continue to evolve and incorporate new scholarly findings in order to serve Ukrainian scholarship and the people of Ukraine in addressing pressing social and cultural challenges.

INFORMATION FACTORS IN THE FORMATION OF ASYMMETRIC SOVEREIGNTY IN UKRAINIAN–RUSSIAN RELATIONS IN THE EARLY 1990S

2026-05-18T14:18:39+03:00

This article presents the results of an analytical study of the formation of Ukrainian-Russian relations between 1991 and 1994 through the prism of the concept of asymmetric sovereignty. Based on a comparative analysis of declassified transcripts of telephone conversations and negotiations between the leaders of the United States and the Russian Federation from the National Security Archive, the study reconstructs the mechanisms of coordinated external pressure on Ukraine. It is argued that during this period, Ukrainian state sovereignty was viewed by key geopolitical actors not as a self-sufficient politico-legal value, but as a variable within the system of global stability, contingent upon the resolution of the Soviet nuclear legacy. The study identifies a systemic gap between the official diplomatic discourse, which declared support for Ukraine's independence, and the actual political practice of «confidential communication» aimed at limiting Ukraine's agency in the security sphere. The role of informational factors in maintaining an asymmetric model of relations and shaping a negative international image of the nascent state is analyzed. It was found that the systemic representation of Ukraine by leading Western and Russian actors in the international media and political spheres as a «threat to the non-proliferation regime» and a source of potential destabilization served as a tool for legitimizing external political and economic pressure on the Ukrainian leadership. The article details the utilization of the informational construct of «illegitimate possession» of nuclear weapons by the Russian Federation to promote its own interests, particularly in the energy sector and the settlement of debt obligations through Ukrainian political concessions. The study highlights the ultimatumdriven nature of negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in exchange for stable energy supplies. A critical analysis of the memoir narrative of Russian diplomacy is conducted, allowing for the deconstruction of propaganda clichés and myths aimed at legitimizing the restriction of Ukraine's political agency. It is demonstrated that the signing of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum was the logical conclusion of the formation of the asymmetric model of sovereignty, codifying the legal ambiguity of security commitments through the use of the term «assurances» instead of «guarantees» The research findings conclude that the structural imbalance in the distribution of security obligations established in the early 1990s created the preconditions for the subsequent revision of the post-WWII European security order. It is determined that the asymmetry of sovereignty was consolidated not only at the level of international legal acts but also through mechanisms of direct energy blackmail and informational dominance.

DEPARTMENT "FOREIGN ARMIES EAST" AND THE EVOLUTION OF GERMAN INTELLIGENCE ON THE EASTERN FRONT

2026-05-18T14:21:13+03:00

The article examines the activities of the «Foreign Armies East» department in the context of the evolution of German military intelligence on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. The author argues that the initial phase of the war against the Soviet Union exposed a profound crisis in German military intelligence analysis, which relied on fragmented and often outdated information about the USSR. This resulted in a critical underestimation of Soviet mobilization resources, the potential of mechanized formations, and the ability to regenerate strategic reserves – factors that ultimately contributed to the failure of Operation Barbarossa. Drawing on little‑known sources, the study concludes that fundamental changes in the functioning of German military intelligence began in the spring of 1942 with the appointment of Reinhard Gehlen as head of the department. Under his leadership, the primary task of «Foreign Armies East» became the assessment of the Red Army’s operational intentions through the integrated analysis of aerial reconnaissance data, radio intercepts, and firsthand testimonies of participants. In the highly dynamic conditions of the Eastern Front, interrogations of Soviet prisoners of war and defectors emerged as the most reliable source of information. To this end, new approaches to working with prisoners were developed, enabling the production of higher‑quality analytical intelligence for the German command. The author emphasizes that, despite improvements in intelligence gathering at the tactical level, Gehlen and his organization failed to achieve success at the strategic level. Erroneous assessments of the Red Army’s intentions during the Stalingrad campaign in 1942 were not forgotten by the higher political leadership of the Third Reich and further undermined the credibility of the intelligence service. Assessing the department’s activities in the final stage of the war, the article notes that its head increasingly focused on preserving vast collections of accumulated intelligence as a key asset for the postwar future. Successful cooperation with the United States government enabled the former German intelligence apparatus not only to avoid prosecution for its service to the Nazi regime but also to become the foundation for the creation of a new intelligence structure in postwar Germany.

THE INFORMATION FRONT OF WORLD WAR I: THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN PROPAGANDA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (1914–1918)

2026-05-18T14:23:32+03:00

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the formation and development of information and psychological operations during the First World War as a component of the phenomenon of total war in the early twentieth century. The study examines the process of transformation of propaganda from an auxiliary instrument of political influence into a systemic tool of state military strategy aimed at mobilizing society, shaping the image of the enemy, and legitimizing military actions. Particular attention is paid to the pre-war stage of information confrontation, when chauvinistic rhetoric and the ideological logic of dividing the world into antagonistic categories of “us” and “others” were used as a means of ideologically preparing mass consciousness for a global conflict. The article analyzes the mechanisms of the functioning of the press, military periodicals, press agencies, propaganda literature, graphic materials, and cinema as instruments of psychological influence. It is demonstrated that with the outbreak of the war, an institutionalized system of centralized control over mass media was established, including the creation of specialized bureaus and coordinating structures that ensured the purposeful formation of public opinion in the interests of the state. The study reveals the specific features of influencing various target audiences: domestic populations, allies, neutral countries, and the enemy, as well as methods of demoralizing enemy troops through the dissemination of rumors, leaflets, falsified documents, and the use of historical myths. Special attention is also paid to the role of the national factor, the support of separatist movements, and irredentism as new technologies of information confrontation are actively used by the belligerent states. It is concluded that during 1914–1918, the theoretical and practical foundations of modern psychological warfare were laid, within which the objects of influence became not only the armed forces of the enemy but also the mass consciousness of society as a whole.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF REFORMS IN THE OTTOMAN AND HAGBURG EMPIRES IN THE 18th CENTURY

2026-05-18T14:26:56+03:00

The article is devoted to a comparative study of the features of the political system, socio-economic development, and reform processes in the Ottoman and Habsburg empires in the 18th century. The structure of power, the role of elites, the religious factor, and the degree of centralisation in both states are analysed. It is determined that the Ottoman Empire functioned as a military-bureaucratic state with elements of decentralisation, while the Habsburg monarchy was a complex conglomerate of territories with different legal systems, administrative traditions, levels of economic development, and strong positions of the local nobility. Particular attention is paid to the reasons and content of the reforms. It is shown that in the Ottoman Empire it was during this period that the first serious attempts were made to modernize the state, reform the army, administration, and diplomacy. It was found that the reforms were mainly military-technical in nature and were aimed at overcoming the crisis and restoring military power, but they did not yield quick results, were not systemic in nature, and encountered resistance from traditional forces. In contrast, in the Habsburg Empire, the reforms of Maria Theresa and Joseph II, inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment and caused by the War of the Austrian Succession, which showed the weakness of the administrative apparatus and financial system, covered the administrative, legal, economic, educational, religious, and social spheres and were aimed at centralising the state, increasing the efficiency of management, and strengthening the army. A more effective state apparatus was created, the education system was reformed, and the privileges of certain social groups were limited. It is concluded that, despite the scale of the reforms, both empires did not achieve full modernization: the Ottoman Empire due to fragmentation, lack of financial resources, political instability, and strong resistance from traditional groups, the conflict between reformers and Janissaries, who sought to preserve their privileges, was particularly acute, and the Habsburg Empire – due to resistance from the nobility, clergy, and part of the population, uneven implementation of reforms, national contradictions, and excessive bureaucratization. The reforms of the 18th century became an important stage in the transformation of both states, showed the desire of the rulers to adapt their states to the new conditions of international politics and changes in world development, created the basis for further transformations in the 19th century, but could not finally overcome internal crises, completely stop the decline of the empires. After the death of Joseph II, some of his reforms were partially cancelled or softened.

THE ARMY OF THE CRIMEAN KHANATE IN THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN OF 1594 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE LONG TURKISH WAR (1593–1606)

2026-05-18T14:30:53+03:00

The article examines the military campaign of the Crimean Khanate in 1594 as part of the Long (Thirteen Years) War of the Ottoman Empire against the Habsburg State in 1593–1606. It is found that the Crimeans came to the aid of the Ottomans at a time when the latter were experiencing a shortage of food and the further siege of Győr was in question. The main attention is paid to the hostilities with the participation of the Crimeans in the Carpathians and on the territory of Hungary. The correspondence of the Polish Chancellor Jan Zamoyski, which became one of the main sources, is analyzed, regarding the participation of the Crimeans in the war, their passage through Pokuttya and the Carpathians, as well as the peculiarities of their tactics of fighting. It is proved that the Tatars were able to successfully overcome the Carpathians both due to the high mobility of the troops, reconnaissance and tactical maneuvers, and due to the errors of the Polish and Hungarian military command, which acted late and did not take into account the scale of the threat. An attempt was made to establish the number of Tatar troops involved in the campaign, the route of their advance and the features of local battles in Pokuttya, Prykarpattia, the Carpathians, Transcarpathia and directly on the territory of the Hungarian Kingdom. In the campaign of 1594, the Tatars captured Cheshebisy with the help of artillery, captured Papa without a fight, and helped the Ottomans capture Győr. The prerequisites for the war of 1593-1606, the features of the military art of the Crimean Khanate and the reasons for the participation of the Crimeans in the military campaigns of the Ottoman Empire are considered. Based on a cross-analysis of contemporary sources, the nature of the complex relationship between the Tatar and Turkish command is established. A detailed analysis of Turkish narrative sources has shown the existence of a personal conflict between the Crimean Tatar Khan Gaza II Geray and the serdar of the Turkish army Koca Sinan-pasha, which ultimately resulted in the withdrawal of the main forces of the Crimeans from Hungary and the subsequent removal of Sinan-pasha from the post of Grand Vizier. In conclusion: the campaign of the Crimean Khanate army to Hungary in 1594 allowed the Ottomans not only to hold the front, but also to capture the fortress of Győr, conduct hostilities the following year, and maintain control over the territories. The Crimeans inflicted considerable damage on the enemy's economic and resource base. The successful crossing of the Carpathians by the Tatars showed that the king and magnates of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were in no hurry to fight on the side of the Habsburgs.

THE GREAT WAR THROUGH THE PRISM OF EGO-DOCUMENTS OF THE POLISH NOBILITY

2026-05-18T14:35:11+03:00

The article is devoted to the study of everyday life and the socio-cultural transformation of the Polish nobility during the years of the First World War. The global conflict, whose depth contemporaries initially underestimated, fundamentally altered their socio-cultural space. The relevance of the study lies in shifting the focus from traditional military and diplomatic history to an anthropocentric dimension, which makes it possible to analyse the Great War as an individual experience of a privileged class and a bearer of Polish identity. In the research, memoirs, diaries, and recollections are considered as sources that embody the “spirit of the age”, combining an immediate emotional response to events with their subsequent rational interpretation and reflection. The use of personal sources allows for the reconstruction of events on an emotional and psychological level, contributing to the exploration of the value orientations, behavioural patterns, and mentality of the Polish nobility at the beginning of the twentieth century. The article analyses the dynamics of the transition from the “islands of stability” of estate life to the search for new forms of national self-organisation under wartime conditions. It highlights the authors’ reflections on hopes to avoid a military catastrophe, as well as demonstrating significant differences in the perception of war through the prism of childhood and adult perspectives. For a comprehensive reconstruction of personal experiences, both male and female ego-documents were examined and analysed. The recollections record the transition from prolonged social tension to open conflict, accompanied by pogroms and the forced departure of the nobility from their estates. In this context, ego-documents serve not only as a source of facts but also as testimony to the profound psychological rupture experienced by an entire generation of the Polish nobility. The article partially draws on materials collected by Ihor Kryvosheia during his research conducted within the framework of the “Research in Poland” programme (2026) of the Juliusz Mieroszewski Dialogue Centre (Warsaw).

EGYPTIAN REMINISCENCES OF THE CZECH TOWNSMAN MARTIN KABATNIK (1492)

2026-05-18T14:38:19+03:00

The article highlights the prerequisites, course and consequences of the journey of the Czech townsman Martin Kabatnik to Egypt and, based on the analysis of his travel notes, characterizes the life of the population of the Mamluk Sultanate capital – the city of Cairo. It is noted that M. Kabatnik was in Egypt for twenty days in the spring of 1492, and soon after returning to his homeland, he dictated to the local scribe Adam Bakalarzh everything he saw there personally or heard from local residents, and after the traveler's death, he published these records. The article emphasizes that Martin Kabatnik’s travel notes cover a wide range of life in the Mamluk Sultanate, which the traveler describes without prejudice and which he often compares with the realities in the Czech Kingdom. His description of the customs and way of life of Egyptian Arabs is extremely valuable. Also noteworthy is M. Kabatnik’s study of the issue of coexistence of religious communities, primarily Christians and Hebrews (Jews), under the rule of Islam. For the first time in Ukrainian historiography, the study analyzes the material of Martin Kabatnik’s travel notes regarding his stay in Cairo. Based on the source, a detailed description of the city at that time and the life of its inhabitants is traced, an overview of the social structure of the population and the organization of political administration in Egypt is made, and the significant cultural achievements of the region during the reign of the Mamluk dynasty are emphasized. Some customs of the Muslim community caused Martin Kabatnik’s sincere surprise or complete rejection. Among other things, he observed that the Mamluks treated Jews more favorably than Christians. The article asserts the opinion that the published essay by Martin Kabatnik is, without a doubt, an interesting and informative material for studying the history of the Mamluk Sultanate of the late 15th century and the history of the medieval East in general.

CARTOGRAPHIC SOURCES IN THE SYSTEM OF SOVIET CENSORSHIP: CONTROL MECHANISMS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION (1917–1940s)

2026-05-18T14:40:41+03:00

The study reveals the interrelationship between mapping and Soviet political censorship. The article analyzes the process of formation and evolution of the system of control and restrictions in the field of cartography during the 1917–1940s. Particular attention is paid to the periodization of this process: from the relative openness of the 1920s to the total «closure» of cartographic information in the late 1930s. The role of political, military, and punitive-repressive institutions in regulating access to spatial information is highlighted. The influence of ideological factors on the establishment of secrecy principles is characterized. It is proved that during the specified period, the map ceased to be perceived solely as a scientific or educational product, transforming into a strategic resource and a tool for ideological manipulation. Cartography became an object of total control, leading to the emergence of a specific type of «Soviet map”, the defining feature of which was ideological expediency. The methods of state interference in the scientific process are outlined, such as: the removal of strategically important data, the distortion of geospatial information, and the introduction of strict regime restrictions. The destructive impact of censorship on the development of academic science and the professional activities of the scientific community is revealed. The evolution of tools and working methods of topographers during the Second World War is examined. The role of spatial information in ensuring navigation and increasing the efficiency of equipment use and unit management is outlined. It is emphasized that the introduction of advanced technologies of that time, such as aerial photography and precise positioning, became an important component of understanding how technological progress directly influenced the course of hostilities. The ways of using spatial information as a lever for military advantage are disclosed. The identified patterns prove that cartography in a totalitarian system performed not only a military but also a profound political function. The results of the study provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of using spatial information in the manipulation of public consciousness.

IDEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS AND MECHANISMS OF FORMING POLISH IDENTITY IN SILESIA DURING THE PROCESS OF REPOLONIZATION (1945–1956)

2026-05-18T14:43:52+03:00

The author examines the problem of the formation of Polish identity among the population of Silesia in the context of the repolonization policy implemented by the Polish government in 1945–1956. Based on an analysis of historical sources, the study traces the ideological premises of the authorities and the practical mechanisms of their implementation in Silesia. It is noted that at the time of its incorporation into Poland in 1945, Silesia already possessed a complex and multilayered identity shaped by centuries of political and cultural developments. This identity had to be significantly transformed by the Polish government. An important role in this process was played by ideological foundations that had been developed by various political forces in Poland during the interwar period and the Second World War. At the same time, the German component of the region’s identity was interpreted as a result of centuries of Germanization that needed to be eliminated. The concept of the “Recovered Territories”, that is, the interpretation of the newly incorporated lands as historically Polish, is identified as the principal ideological foundation for the formation of Polish identity in Silesia. The article also highlights the evolution of this ideology. In the first postwar years, it relied largely on national discourse and anti-German rhetoric, whereas by the late 1940s it was increasingly shaped by communist ideology, which substantiated the concept of the “new man” loyal to the socialist state. The article analyzes the mechanisms used to implement the policy of forming Polish identity in Silesia. Among the key mechanisms were mass propaganda campaigns, the active role of the press and cultural institutions, and symbolic practices of memorializing events in Polish history. Important mechanisms of identity formation also included demographic policies aimed at changing the ethnic structure of the region’s population and educational measures, particularly the organization of so-called repolonization courses. The study also examines such mechanisms of shaping Polish identity as the transformation of the cultural and symbolic space of the region through changes in toponymy and the restriction of the influence of the Catholic Church.

TRANSFORMATION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY AND MECHANISMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE: THE EXAMPLE OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS' MEMOIRS

2026-05-18T14:46:15+03:00

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of cultural and psychological resilience in the context of war and traumatic social transformations through the prism of the individual experiences of Holocaust survivors. The relevance of the study is determined by the current challenges facing Ukrainian society in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which require a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of adaptation, survival, and preservation of national identity in situations of existential threat. The purpose of the article is to identify the factors that shape cultural and psychological resilience at the individual level and to analyze their impact on the construction and transformation of national identity in wartime. The source base consists of memoirs of Holocaust survivors, in particular their experiences of being in concentration camps, ghettos, and living in forced hiding. Particular attention is paid to the dynamics of worldview changes in the pre-war, war, and post-war periods. The article outlines the key components of resilience: value orientations, action as a form of active response, meaning-making thinking, emotional regulation, and social connections. It is shown that it is the individual level of resilience that is the foundation for the formation of broader institutional and national mechanisms of resistance to crises. It is proven that war acts as a catalyst for complex and often contradictory identification processes, causing both temporary denial and further strengthening of national self-awareness. It is concluded that the experience of Holocaust victims demonstrates a high potential for psychological and cultural resilience even in conditions of radical disintegration of the social environment. The results obtained have theoretical and practical value for understanding contemporary war trauma and can be used in developing strategies to support national resilience and work with collective memory in the post-crisis period.

THE DNIPRO AS A STRATEGIC LINE IN THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE RED ARMY AND THE WEHRMACHT ON THE EASTERN FRONT IN THE SUMMER–AUTUMN OF 1941

2026-05-18T14:48:44+03:00

During the Second World War, Ukraine became the scene of fierce battles between the Red Army and the Wehrmacht. The German-Soviet front swept across Ukrainian territory from west to east in 1941–1942, and later in the opposite direction in 1943–1944. In both campaigns, the Dnipro River served as a strategic line for the opposing forces. The author emphasizes that the Dnipro watershed in the German-Soviet confrontation of 1941 was not effectively utilized by Soviet command, which resulted in a series of large-scale tragedies for the Red Army and demonstrated the triumph of the Wehrmacht during the first months of the war against the USSR. Based on a historiographical review of military-historical events in Ukraine during the summer–autumn of 1941, the researcher concludes that the Red Army’s resistance to the advance of German formations to the east did not appear as a clearly structured strategy grounded in intelligence data and the principles of modern military science. The Soviet command failed to exploit the opportunities provided by the Dnipro watershed as a natural obstacle. Furthermore, the defensive operations of the Southwestern Direction armies, which are known in historical scholarship and allegedly carried out in July–October 1941, were later adjusted by Soviet military historians to correspond with the course of events at the front during that period. Emphasizing the losses of the Red Army and the achievements of the Wehrmacht, and taking into account the strategic importance of the Dnipro River as well as the mineral deposits of the Nikopol-Kryvyi Rih and Donets basins for further military operations and the conduct of war, the researcher proposes referring to the summer–autumn campaign on the Eastern Front as the Battle for the Dnipro of 1941, which had an exclusively defensive character for the Red Army and entirely negative consequences.