Exploring contemporary socio-cultural shifts in Ukraine and their effects on strengthening national identity and resilience in times of war

Abstract

Establishing a Ukrainian political nation is contingent upon a complex set of circumstances. Ukraine is compelled to wage a war against Russia for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In such times, national self-identification becomes pivotal in consolidating efforts across all resistance fronts. The formation of Ukrainian identity is complicated by the dichotomy within Ukraine's socio-cultural space, where Russian culture, alongside Ukrainian, has had significant influence. Russia's full-scale aggression has facilitated the ultimate dissolution of Russian influence on the self-identification of Ukrainians. This article aims to identify the main socio-cultural trends that influence the transformation of national identity and resilience in Ukraine. Constructivism serves as the principal methodological approach to the research, enabling the analysis of the critical elements of national identity during its formation and development. The research methods include document analysis and sociological data, case studies, comparison, synthesis, deduction, generalisation, and systematisation. The findings of the research indicate that the war has significantly impacted the self-identification processes of Ukrainians, hastening the decolonisation of Ukraine's socio-cultural space. Ukrainians are creating distance from Russian influences, including its culture and cultural outputs like music, literature, and cinema. There is a notable shift towards the use of the Ukrainian language and the gradual adoption of Ukrainian and European symbols over Russian ones. These changes are fostering a more robust national identity, enhancing the societal aspect of this identity, and catalysing a shift from feelings of inferiority to a rise in national pride and patriotism.