The founding of Kievan Rus, the first major Eastern Slavonic state, attributed to the semi-legendary Viking leader Oleg. Kievan Rus became a central political and cultural center of the East Slavic world.

Prince Vladimir the Great accepted Orthodox Christianity, beginning the conversion of Kievan Rus and setting the course for Christianity in Eastern Europe

The Cossack uprising against Polish rule led to the establishment of the Hetmanate, which is regarded as the forerunner of the modern independent Ukrainian state. This period was significant for Ukraine's struggle for autonomy and self-governance.

Following the collapse of the Russian Empire, Ukraine declared independence in 1918. However, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was established in 1921 after the Russian Red Army conquered most of Ukraine. This marked the beginning of Soviet rule in Ukraine.

A man-made famine during Stalin's collectivization campaign resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. This period, known as the Holodomor, is considered one of the darkest chapters in Ukrainian history.

Protests in Kyiv, known as the Euromaidan, began in November 2013 against President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to abandon plans to sign an association agreement with the EU. The protests led to Yanukovych's ouster, and in March 2014, Russian forces annexed Crimea, prompting international sanctions and the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The annexation of Crimea was followed by pro-Russian unrest in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. This led to ongoing conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists, despite several attempts at ceasefires, including the Minsk Agreements.

Russian military forces entered Ukraine from Belarus, Russia, and Crimea, marking the beginning of a large-scale conflict that has had profound global implications.

With military assistance from its allies, Ukraine conducted a major counteroffensive, liberating significant territory in the northeast and east of the country. Despite challenges, Ukraine has made gains, particularly in the Black Sea, and continues to push for the reclaiming of all its sovereign territory.