Most of the rivers of Ukraine drain into the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov. The Dnieper River dominates the country’s central region, with numerous tributaries and hydroelectric dams. The Dnepr has six09 miles (980 km) of length. The Southern Buh and Pripet rivers are navigable in their lower courses. All of these rivers have hydroelectric plants situated on them. Ukraine’s other major rivers are the Dnieper, Dniester, and Zail.

The highest point in Ukraine is Mount Hoverla at 6,762 feet. Ukraine also has lowland areas in the northeast and southeastern parts of the country. The country’s climate is mild year-round, with warm springs and cool autumn temperatures. Despite its highland terrain, Ukraine also has some areas of relatively lowland, with low temperatures and a humid climate. There are numerous lakes and rivers throughout the country, including the famous Volga River, which flows along the southern part of the country.

Many Russian elites doubted the legitimacy and viability of the new Ukrainian state, citing its independence from the Soviet Union. One prominent figure in the glasnost era was Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. While acknowledging being half Ukrainian, he echoed imperial Russian officials who maintained that separate Ukrainian people had existed as a nation since the ninth century. While Ukrainian nationalism has become more widespread in recent years, Russian leaders are still attempting to turn Ukraine into a pro-Russian project.

Despite the fact that Ukrainian is now the largest country in Europe, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is likely to occur on 24 February 2022. While Russia is still fighting the conflict in the region, the country’s monasteries have long been prominent centers of Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. Ukraine’s monasteries have been the most famous of their kind in history. If you’re in the region, be sure to visit the Monastery of Caves on Berestov Mount in Kiev. This ancient monastery is one of the oldest in the world and a prime location for worshipping Ukrainian Orthodox Christians.

After the Russian strike on Mariupol, Ukraine has refused to surrender the city. Residents in the eastern city face acute shortages of heat and basic necessities. Nearly a million people have fled to other cities in Ukraine since the conflict began. Meanwhile, the European Union has pledged to double military aid to Ukraine, and U.S. President Joe Biden said he intends to degrade Russia’s trade status. Moreover, he plans to ban Russian diamonds and alcohol imports.

The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has pushed the pro-Western candidates into the lead in the Ukrainian elections. The recent elections are largely a result of bread-and-butter considerations and hopes that the conflict in Donbas will be resolved soon. These issues cut across geographic divisions and are therefore key to Ukraine’s future. And while it isn’t entirely clear how Ukraine will respond to this crisis, it’s still important to know that a foreign invasion is a catalyst for nation-building.