Tamara Krawchenko Interview: Ukraine’s Socio-Economic History Amid War
July 04, 2025
School of Public Administration professor, Dr. Tamara Krawchenko, her father, Dr. Bohdan Krawchenko, for the Forum For Ukrainian Studies about the course he just taught on “State and Nation Building in 20th-Century Ukraine: A Historical Political Economy Perspective" at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. The interview offers readers a rare, deeply personal, and intellectually rigorous exploration of Ukraine’s socio-economic history amid war, focusing particularly on the enduring impacts of Russian colonialism. Bohdan, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Central Asia and former Director of the Institute of Public Administration and Local Government in Ukraine, brings decades of expertise and lived experience to the discussion, having just returned from teaching a course on national consciousness in Ukraine.
The interview opens with Tamara inviting Bohdan to reflect on his recent time in Ukraine, where he engaged with students and communities grappling with the realities of war and occupation. Bohdan immediately underscores the pervasive legacy of Russian colonialism in shaping Ukraine’s past and present. “Russian colonialism is not just a historical episode—it is a structure that has shaped every aspect of Ukrainian life, from the economy to culture, and continues to do so today,” he states. This framing sets the tone for a conversation that is both analytical and urgent.
Bohdan traces the roots of Russian colonialism to the imperial and Soviet eras, emphasizing how policies were designed to suppress Ukrainian identity and autonomy. “The Russian Empire, and later the Soviet Union, systematically dismantled Ukrainian institutions, suppressed the language, and imposed a colonial administration that extracted resources for the benefit of the center,” he explains. He points to the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian elites, the Russification of education and public life, and the erasure of historical memory as central tools of domination.
One of the interview’s key themes is the economic dimension of colonialism. Bohdan describes how Ukraine was transformed into a “resource appendage” for the Russian core: “Ukraine’s vast agricultural and industrial potential was harnessed not for local development, but to feed the imperial center. This legacy of extraction and dependency is still felt today, as Ukraine struggles to build a self-sustaining economy amid ongoing aggression.” He notes that the war has laid bare the vulnerabilities created by this dependency, particularly in energy and industry, “Colonialism leaves deep scars. It creates a sense of inferiority, a lack of agency. For generations, Ukrainians were taught to see themselves as ‘less than’—less cultured, less capable, less deserving of self-rule. Overcoming this internalized colonial mindset is as important as rebuilding infrastructure.” He highlights the resilience of Ukrainian society, pointing to the current wave of civic activism and volunteerism as evidence of a society reclaiming its agency.
The conversation turns to the present war and the ways in which Russian aggression is both a continuation of colonial logic and a catalyst for national renewal. “What we are witnessing is the last gasp of a colonial empire,” Bohdan asserts. “Russia’s invasion is an attempt to reassert control over a people who have chosen a different path. But it is also forging a new sense of unity and purpose among Ukrainians.” He describes how the war has accelerated processes of decolonization, from the removal of Soviet monuments to the revitalization of the Ukrainian language and the forging of new international alliances.
Tamara asks about the role of education in this process. Bohdan, drawing on his recent teaching experience, stresses the importance of critical historical consciousness: “Education is the frontline of decolonization. We must teach young people to question inherited narratives, to understand the mechanisms of colonial control, and to take pride in their own history and achievements.” He recounts moving conversations with students who, despite the trauma of war, are determined to build a more just and independent Ukraine.
Throughout the interview, Bohdan returns to the theme of resilience. He is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead—rebuilding the economy, healing social divisions, and countering disinformation—but he is also optimistic. “Ukrainians have shown extraordinary courage and solidarity. The process of decolonization is painful and incomplete, but it is irreversible. The future will be shaped by those who have learned to resist, adapt, and imagine alternatives.” As Bohdan states: “the struggle for Ukraine’s future is not just a political or military one—it is a struggle for meaning, for dignity, for the right to define oneself.”
This interview is both a testament to the enduring impact of Russian colonialism and a call to action for scholars, policymakers, and citizens alike to gain a deeper understanding of the historical forces shaping Ukraine’s present crisis—and the possibilities for a future defined by resilience, agency, and decolonization.
Read the full interview on the Forum for Ukrainian Studies site: .