TRANSFORMATION OF THE NATIONAL IDENTITY OF UKRAINIANS IN DONETSK REGION DURING THE 20th AND EARLY 21st CENTURIES: A HISTORIOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive historiographical overview of the trans-formation of Ukrainian national identity in the Donetsk region (Donbas) from the 20th century to the early 21st century. It begins by framing the problem, noting that the topic remains discursive and requires deeper investigation through thematic, problematic, and chronological approaches in historiogra-phy. The authors emphasizes the need to identify pressing and debated issues, extract valuable information using a value-based approach, and align the analysis with historical periodization of national identity development. In the analysis of sources and recent studies, the article draws on foundational works by scholars such as F. Turchenko and H. Turchenko, who extensively covered the specifics of Ukrainian national identity evolution in southeastern Ukraine.  

H. Kasianov’s contributions are highlighted for their balanced argumentation based on historical facts, aiding the revival of Ukrainian identity patterns in public consciousness. O. Diedush’s research is noted for its periodization of Ukrainian national identity within the historiographical process, dividing it into the “modern nation” era (from the early 20th century) and the contem-porary period (from 1991 onward). However, the authors acknowledges gaps in the historiography specifically focused on Donetsk Ukrainians during this timeframe, calling for further exploration. The publication’s goal is to char-acterize the historiographical study of this transformation. The main body of the text surveys a wide array of Ukrainian and foreign researchers’ works. It traces the roots of Russification policies back to the 18th century under tsarism, as per Turchenko and Turchenko. V. Shandra points to elements of Ukrainian identity revival in the 19th century based on folk language, while O. Kazakevych notes the conscious adoption of Ukrainian language by intel-lectuals from the mid-19th century. Yu. Nikolaiets identifies the formation of key national identity traits in Donetsk by the late 19th century, linked to the ethnic structure’s foundations. S. Liakh discusses cultural-educational activities among Ukrainian peasants in the Katerynoslav Governorate at the turn of the 20th century.