Humanities Studios: Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy

Changes in the national identity of Ukrainians during the war

Vira Dodonova*

dodonovav@gmail.com

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Abstract

The article addressed the reconfiguration of the national identity of Ukrainians as a consequence of the Russian-Ukrainian war and its impact on the social and political climate within society. The study aimed to analyse the changes in the national identity of Ukrainians under the influence of full-scale Russian aggression. The article was based on the findings of the research project entitled “Intercultural Communication in Social Practices as a Factor in the Formation of the Civilizational Identity of Citizens of Ukraine in the Post-war Period”. The study examined data from sociological surveys, statistical reports, and historical events. Methods employed included content analysis, ethnographic research, and the historical-comparative method. These methodologies facilitated a multidimensional analysis of the phenomenon and enabled the identification of causal relationships in the transformation of Ukrainian national identity. The correlation between the national idea and national identity was explored. It argued that the content of the national idea has varied throughout different periods of the Ukrainian state’s existence. The article examined changes in the primary markers of identity under the influence of the Russian Ukrainian war. The dynamics of national identity development were analysed, with a focus on its connection to the establishment of civil society and civic identity. It was noted that the Ukrainian intelligentsia, cultural figures, military personnel, and spiritual leaders have always played a pivotal role in shaping national identity. The main markers of Ukrainian national identity that have become prominent during the war include societal homogeneity, overcoming the “East West” divide, the expanded use of the Ukrainian language, and the Ukrainocentric stance of internally displaced persons. All these aspects of national identity reflect positive changes towards the consolidation of the nation. One of the challenging consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war is external migration and unfavourable demographic forecasts, as evidenced by data from sociological surveys

Keywords

regional identity; transformation of national identity; Russian-Ukrainian war; identity politics; factors of identity change; civic identity; social practices

Suggested citation
Dodonova, V. (2024). Changes in the national identity of Ukrainians during the war. Humanities Studios: Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, 12(3), 66-77. https://doi.org/10.31548/hspedagog/3.2024.66
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