Learning about Ukraine

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe and is the second largest country on the continent after Russia. The capital city, Kyiv, is located in north-central Ukraine.

Ukraine is linguistically diverse due to its history with Russian, Hungary, Poland, Romania and other neighbouring countries. The official language is Ukrainian, however much of the population speak Russian and other languages. Both Ukrainian and Russian are known as Eastern Slavic languages and due to their origins are very similar.

Key facts about Ukraine at a glance

• It is home to more than 42 million people
• The official language is Ukrainian, but many people speak both Ukrainian and Russian
• The currency is Hryvnia
• The dominant religion is Eastern Orthodox
• The nation's capital and largest city is Kyiv
• The President is Volodymyr Zelensky

National symbols

• National plant - Kalyna
• National flower - Sunflower
• National shirt costume - Vyshyvanka
• National musical instruments - Bandura & Trembita

Bandura is a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. Trembita is a Ukrainian folk wind mouthpiece musical instrument as seen below.

Helpful phrases

Thank you
Dyakuyu (Дякую)

You are welcome / Please
Bud’ laska (Будь ласка)

I love you
Ya kohayu tebe (Я кохаю тебе)

How is it going?
Yak spravy? (Як справи?)

Glory to Ukraine
Slava Ukraini (Слава Україні)

Glory to Heroes
Geroyam slava (Героям слава)