Ukrainian Atlantis: the story of the Green Crescent in the Far East, from its peak to its decline.

Green Klyn, also known as Green Ukraine or Zakitayshchina, is a historical Ukrainian territory located on the Pacific coast. It encompassed parts of the Amur region, the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Primorsky Krai, and the southern part of Khabarovsk Krai of the Russian Federation.

This area became home to a large number of Ukrainians who settled here in the 19th century. It also witnessed their struggle for autonomy, cultural identity, and survival amidst historical events.

Historical Context

The first Ukrainian settlers began arriving in Green Klyn in the mid-19th century when the Russian government actively encouraged peasants from the central and western provinces of the empire to migrate to the Far East. In the 1860s, the first Ukrainian villages were established, such as Troitskoye and Novotroitskoye. According to the 1926 census, about 309,000 Ukrainians lived in Green Klyn, making up 25% of the region's population.

Political Organization

In the period following the October Revolution of 1917, the Ukrainians of Green Klyn actively sought to establish their own autonomy. They formed a Regional Council and adopted a constitution proclaiming their right to self-determination. In 1918, at the Second All-Ukrainian Congress of the Far East, a decision was made to join the Ukrainian People's Republic.

During this time, Ukrainians collaborated closely with other ethnic groups also striving for autonomy. This led to the formation of various coalitions and movements fighting for the rights of national minorities in the Russian Empire.

Destruction and Repression

However, with the arrival of the Bolsheviks in the 1920s, the Ukrainian movement in Green Klyn faced severe repression. In October-November 1922, the Bolsheviks dissolved the Far Eastern Republic and all Ukrainian organizations. This resulted in mass deportations and the Russification of the Ukrainian population, significantly reducing its numbers.

After the abolition of autonomy, active Russification of the region began. The Ukrainian language and culture were pushed out of public life, and Ukrainian schools were closed.

Modern Situation

Today, the Ukrainian community in Green Klyn has significantly diminished. Estimates suggest that only a few thousand Ukrainians remain. However, the issues of cultural identity and historical memory remain relevant among the local population.

Green Klyn is a vivid example of the history of the Ukrainian diaspora in the Far East, which has undergone numerous changes over the past century. Today, this territory remains an important part of Ukrainian history and culture.

Earlier, "Telegraph" reported on Crimea as "Khrushchev's gift". At that time, Russia simply abandoned Crimea, which was in a dire situation.