Ukraine: The (Un)finished Second World War

What comes to your mind when you think about Ukraine's role in the Second World War? The Red Army? Soviet propaganda films? Perhaps some fragmented stories about battles and resistance? Yet, these glimpses reveal only a fraction of Ukraine's complex and painful wartime experience.

This video is part of a course by leading Ukrainian scholars who guide you through key topics that shed light on how the Second World War unfolded for Ukraine and how its consequences are still unfolding today. Each topic highlights a unique perspective — from the global implications of the "Ukrainian question" to the "memory wars" that continue to shape both regional and global narratives.

Understanding Ukraine's modern history and contemporary challenges requires an awareness of how the Second World War affected its people, territories, and identities. Ukraine's experience was distinct: divided among multiple states, targeted by both Nazi and Soviet regimes, and later caught in "memory wars" that persist into the 21st century.

In addition to video lectures, the course offers carefully selected primary and secondary sources such as documents, roadmaps, and additional reading materials. Together, they will help you build a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Ukraine's role during the Second World War and its lasting impact on the international arena.

Ukrainian scholars who developed this course from the ground up — from concept to visuals — will guide you through this complex but essential story.