The History of both Russia and Okraine

These country began with the establishment of a state at Kiev in the A>D> 800's. Kiev was an important trading center on the Dnepr's River.It became the first state of Russia.

Poland conquered the western part of the Ukraine during the 1400's. During this time, the region became known as the Ukraine, meaning frontier. Many men of the region do not want to be ruled by the poles. They fled east and form a group of soldier- outlaws called Cossacks. The Cossacks fought the Poles many times, but they were unable to free the Ukraine from Polish rule.

For the next three hundred years, Poland, Russia, and Turkey fought for control of the Ukraine. During the 1700's, most of the Ukraine came under Russian rule in spite of strong Ukrainian opposition.

In 1917, near the end of the world war 1, the Ukrainians set up their own government at Kiev. But by 1921, Russia had restored its control over the Ukraine. The region became one of the original republics when t6he Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed in1922.In 1945, after World War11, Russia took over parts of the Ukraine that belong to Czechoslovakia and Poland. Underground opposition to Russian rule continued for several years after the War. Many Ukrainians still oppose Russian rule.