Research on the influence of the soviet past on the modern processes of forming a Ukrainian national identity

Abstract

The study is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the influence of the Soviet past on the processes of forming Ukrainian national identity, in particular in conditions of war and external aggression. The aim of the study is to study in detail how Soviet ideology, politics, and cultural and socio-economic realities of that time influenced the formation of the national consciousness of Ukrainians, as well as the processes of deconstruction of the Soviet heritage in conditions of modern challenges, such as war, globalization and European integration. Methods. The work uses a comprehensive approach that combines methods of historical and sociological analysis, comparative analysis, and interpretations of cultural narratives and folklore, in particular through the prism of modern narratives and reflection on the past. Results. The results of the study indicate that the Soviet past left a deep, multifaceted mark on the formation of the national identity of Ukraine. In particular, through systematic processes of Russification, rewriting of history and culture, Soviet political instruments manipulated the consciousness of Ukrainians, contributing to the weakening of national feelings and the decline of national self-awareness. At the same time, social and psychological traumas that remained after mass repressions, famines, and other acts of political terror created complex cultural contexts for the formation of Ukrainian national identity in the post-Soviet period. The deconstruction of the Soviet legacy that has been taking place in Ukraine since independence, through the policy of decommunization and the rethinking of historical memory, is a complex and multifaceted process that encompasses not only changes in education, culture, and politics, but also social transformation. Conclusions. One of the key conclusions is that in conditions of war and external aggression, a new identity is being formed that contributes to the consolidation of Ukrainian society around national values, the restoration of historical memory, and the recognition of its historical traumas. This process allows for the strengthening of national consciousness and is an important element in the struggle for independence and the European future of Ukraine. Given the current geopolitical realities, it can be argued that understanding and taking into account the influence of the Soviet past on national identity is critical for the future development of Ukraine, as it allows for the construction of a stable and self-aware society that not only restores its history, but also builds a new national identity based on democratic values.