Was Ukraine ever part of Russia?

Ukraine and Russia have a complex history that dates back to the 9th century, when the Kievan Rus was formed, an early East Slavic state that included parts of present-day Ukraine and Russia. Over the centuries, the area was ruled by various powers, including the Mongols, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In the late 18th century, the Russian Empire annexed much of present-day Ukraine, and it remained part of the empire until the Russian Revolution of 1917. Following the revolution, Ukraine declared independence, but it was soon incorporated into the Soviet Union. During the Soviet era, Ukraine was one of the republics of the Soviet Union and had a high degree of autonomy.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine declared independence and became a sovereign state. Since then, it has established itself as a democratic country and has sought closer ties with Europe. However, its relationship with Russia has been strained, particularly in recent years following the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.