Ukraine – Fast Facts                    

Geography & Location: Ukraine (meaning: The Borderland) is located in Eastern Europe and is surrounded by Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, and the Black Sea.  Because of its strategic position, Ukraine has long been considered a crossroad between Europe and Asia.  With a total land area of 603,700 square kilometers (slightly smaller than Texas), this former Soviet republic is Europe’s second largest country.  The capital is Kiev with 2.8 million residents.

History:

The country of Ukraine has its origins in the ancient Kievan Rus empire, which reached its greatest period of ascendancy during the 11th and 12th centuries.  In 1240 A.D., the territory was invaded by the Mongols and was subsequently divided into what is, today, principally, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. Once a powerful force on the European scene, Ukraine's fate in modern times has been decided in far-off capitals. As a result, Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign occupation.

In the 1930’s, under Soviet rule, and later during the Nazi occupation of World War II, many irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and artistic treasures were destroyed.  During this same time, millions of Ukrainians paid with their lives as they suffered at the hands of their invaders.

 In April of 1986, Ukraine became the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster after an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power facility.

On December 1, 1991, Ukraine gained its independence after the break up of the Soviet Union and formally adopted a democratic constitution in June of 1996. 

Economy:

After Russia, Ukraine is by far the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil once generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural yield.  Today, about 50% of the people live below the poverty line with the average reported income around $80 per month.  Economic reforms introduced in the mid 1990’s have started to take effect, but inflation and unemployment still plague the country.

Religion:

Ukrainian Orthodox               85%

Roman Catholic                     10%

Protestant (mainly Baptists)     3%

Jewish                                    1%

Education: Literacy is 98%.  Educational policy favors the study of science and technology.  At present, schooling is compulsory for ages 7-16 with university-level education open to anyone who can pass an admission test.

Languages:  Ukrainian is a Slavic language (similar to Russian), which is taught and spoken throughout the country.  Russian is also widely used within the major cities and eastern oblasts (counties).  Among the youth there is a great eagerness to learn English and other western European languages.

People:

Population: 49.8 million (1999 estimate)

Density: 64% urban

Ethnicity: Ukrainian 73%   Russian 22%   Jewish 1%

UFM Challenge:  We are looking for men and women of faith, who are willing to be used by God through evangelism, discipleship, and church planting in a country where millions have yet to hear the truth of the Gospel.

UFM’s History in Ukraine:

This country is one of UFM’s newest fields of service and is in its pioneer stage of development.  UFM currently has two missionary families serving in the capital city of Kiev, where they are involved in language study, evangelism, and church planting.

 For More Information Contact:

UFM International
PO Box 306
Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004
Phone: 610.667.7660
Fax: 610.660.9068
e-mail: bala@ufm.org

Click here to return to: www.carons.net