Ukrainian historian on how the world underestimated Ukraine

The Kyiv Independent’s Kate Tsurkan speaks with historian Serhii Plokhy about how Russia has shaped global perceptions of its past — and why those misunderstandings continue to shape today’s war. From the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917 to the present day, Plokhy explains why Ukrainian independence has long been seen as a threat in Moscow. The conversation also explores how Russian narratives evolved after the fall of the Soviet Union, why Ukraine’s history was marginalized in Western academia, and how the full-scale invasion is reshaping global understanding of both Ukraine and Russia. 0:00 Intro 00:31 Russia’s empire myth 03:54 Ukraine’s 1917 independence 07:07 Bolsheviks vs. Ukrainian state 11:10 Why independent Ukraine threatens Russia 14:58 Origins of modern Russian narratives 18:06 Ukraine in Western academia 22:22 Rediscovering Ukraine after 1991 25:40 Support independent journalism in Ukraine Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine. Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membershi... Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world.