Ukraine - A Nation Split by Language and History
-- Voice Of America
-- Voice Of America
Ukraine is a country divided by language and history. Western Ukraine, which speaks Ukrainian, was under benevolent Austro-Hungarian rule until World War I. Russified Eastern Ukraine was under Russian imperial domination for centuries. VOA Correspondent Peter Fedynsky recently visited coal mining regions in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east and Ukrainian-speaking west, and reports that miners are united on economic issues, but differ on the emphasis they place on divisive cultural issues.
Mykhailo Kazybrid is the head of the independent coal miners union at Mine Shaft Number Eight in the Western Ukrainian town of Sosnivka. Having worked in mines for more than 30 years, he is concerned some could be closed, devastating the local economy and people's lives.
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My Comment: On my father's side, I have a number of Russian relatives who live in the eastern part of the Ukraine. When I go to visit, the tensions that are there are very evident. If Russia chooses to exploit them, I can easily visualize the fracturing of Ukraine. Will they do it ..... I am not sure of the answer right now.