Ukraine: A history in pictures

Photos: Ukraine: A country in pictures
Ukraine: The land – Ukraine achieved independence shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.Europe's second largest country, it boasts sweeping and fertile agricultural plains as well areas of heavy industry.
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Photos: Ukraine: A country in pictures
Brutal moments in history – During Soviet rule a famine hit Ukraine that killed up to 7 million people between 1932 and 1933, according to the CIA World Factbook. Known as 'Holodomor', meaning 'death by hunger', it is widely held that the famine was a direct consequence of the Soviet policy of forced collectivization of farms.
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Photos: Ukraine: A country in pictures
Nuclear catastrophe – Ukraine suffered the world's worst nuclear power plant accident in 1986 when a reactor at the Chernobyl power station exploded. A United Nations report from 2005 estimates that 200,000 people have been severely affected by the disaster, including up to 4,000 deaths. Recently the site has become a tourist attraction.
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Photos: Ukraine: A country in pictures
Independence from the Soviet Union – In December 1991 a nationwide referendum was held. 90% of Ukrainian citizens voted for independence from the Soviet Union.
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