This article investigates the historical and ongoing impact of Russian cultural policies on the development and strengthening of Ukrainian national unity. Drawing on theories of nationalism, social identity, and cultural hegemony, we analyze how deliberate attempts to suppress Ukrainian language, history, and religious institutions have, paradoxically, contributed to a more robust and unified Ukrainian national identity. The study examines various facets of this suppression, including linguistic Russification, historical revisionism, and religious subjugation, and explores the Ukrainian responses, from linguistic preservation efforts to the assertion of ecclesiastical independence. Ultimately, the article argues that Russian cultural suppression, rather than diminishing Ukrainian nationhood, has inadvertently fostered a collective memory of resistance and a stronger sense of shared identity among Ukrainians, particularly evident in contemporary times.

Cultural hegemony, national cohesion, Ukrainian identity

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