Kyiv Guy
@kyivguy.bsky.social
I love and write about Ukraine, its history, art, culture, and all things related. For longer reads, and to support my writing, visit my Patreon page (most of the materials are free for public view): https://www.patreon.com/c/LettersfromKyiv
A weekend is a time to get my soul into order. Today, I suggest you enjoy three documentary films and two texts on the fate of the arts in Ukraine during the war: www.patreon.com/posts/arts-a...
October 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A weekend is a time to get my soul into order. Today, I suggest you enjoy three documentary films and two texts on the fate of the arts in Ukraine during the war: www.patreon.com/posts/arts-a...
Ukraine has finally refurbished its recruitment website - and some of the internal processes - for the international servicemen willing to join the Ukrainian Army in the fight for Ukraine's freedom (and for the defeat of the bloody Moscovian Empire).
Here's the link: www.joinuarmy.org/en/
Here's the link: www.joinuarmy.org/en/
September 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Ukraine has finally refurbished its recruitment website - and some of the internal processes - for the international servicemen willing to join the Ukrainian Army in the fight for Ukraine's freedom (and for the defeat of the bloody Moscovian Empire).
Here's the link: www.joinuarmy.org/en/
Here's the link: www.joinuarmy.org/en/
International firms’ taxes paid in Russia in 2024 are equivalent to 1 million soldiers for Putin. This is the bloody mathematics we Ukrainians have to face today.
Unfortunately, the companies from the "collective West" (and China) lead the rating.
Read more in the latest @b4ukraine.org report.
Unfortunately, the companies from the "collective West" (and China) lead the rating.
Read more in the latest @b4ukraine.org report.
August 27, 2025 at 10:20 PM
International firms’ taxes paid in Russia in 2024 are equivalent to 1 million soldiers for Putin. This is the bloody mathematics we Ukrainians have to face today.
Unfortunately, the companies from the "collective West" (and China) lead the rating.
Read more in the latest @b4ukraine.org report.
Unfortunately, the companies from the "collective West" (and China) lead the rating.
Read more in the latest @b4ukraine.org report.
Happy Ukrainian Independence Day, everybody!
Thank you for standing with us! Please carry on - the fighting continues every day and night, right now!
www.patreon.com/posts/happy-...
Thank you for standing with us! Please carry on - the fighting continues every day and night, right now!
www.patreon.com/posts/happy-...
August 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Happy Ukrainian Independence Day, everybody!
Thank you for standing with us! Please carry on - the fighting continues every day and night, right now!
www.patreon.com/posts/happy-...
Thank you for standing with us! Please carry on - the fighting continues every day and night, right now!
www.patreon.com/posts/happy-...
Another serving of my #UkrainianVoices series: Vitaly Portnikov, on when Putin went off the rails. Available for free, but your signing up on Patreon is much appreciated - it shows me that there is a real interest - and, possibly, a need - in what I do: www.patreon.com/posts/136497...
August 14, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Another serving of my #UkrainianVoices series: Vitaly Portnikov, on when Putin went off the rails. Available for free, but your signing up on Patreon is much appreciated - it shows me that there is a real interest - and, possibly, a need - in what I do: www.patreon.com/posts/136497...
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Night in the Crimea. View of Ayu Dag", 1850, by Ivan Aivazovsky.
Born Hovhannes Aivazian, he was a descendant of Ukrainian Armenians, who settled in Galicia in the 18th century. His family moved to Crimea in 1812.
"Ayu Dag" means "Bear Mountain" in Crimean Tatar.
Born Hovhannes Aivazian, he was a descendant of Ukrainian Armenians, who settled in Galicia in the 18th century. His family moved to Crimea in 1812.
"Ayu Dag" means "Bear Mountain" in Crimean Tatar.
August 13, 2025 at 9:30 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Night in the Crimea. View of Ayu Dag", 1850, by Ivan Aivazovsky.
Born Hovhannes Aivazian, he was a descendant of Ukrainian Armenians, who settled in Galicia in the 18th century. His family moved to Crimea in 1812.
"Ayu Dag" means "Bear Mountain" in Crimean Tatar.
Born Hovhannes Aivazian, he was a descendant of Ukrainian Armenians, who settled in Galicia in the 18th century. His family moved to Crimea in 1812.
"Ayu Dag" means "Bear Mountain" in Crimean Tatar.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Noon. A herd in the steppe", 1895, by Arkhyp Kuindzhy.
Today, Ukrainian steppe is known as an endless field of grain crops. However, until the 1950s, the steppe was mostly used for livestock farming, with large herds of sheep, cows, and horses grazing under the sky.
Today, Ukrainian steppe is known as an endless field of grain crops. However, until the 1950s, the steppe was mostly used for livestock farming, with large herds of sheep, cows, and horses grazing under the sky.
August 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Noon. A herd in the steppe", 1895, by Arkhyp Kuindzhy.
Today, Ukrainian steppe is known as an endless field of grain crops. However, until the 1950s, the steppe was mostly used for livestock farming, with large herds of sheep, cows, and horses grazing under the sky.
Today, Ukrainian steppe is known as an endless field of grain crops. However, until the 1950s, the steppe was mostly used for livestock farming, with large herds of sheep, cows, and horses grazing under the sky.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Steamship Moskva at the storm", 1884, by Rufin Sudkovsky
Sudkovsky (1850-1885) was born in Ochakiv. He studied painting in Odesa and St. Petersburg, reaching success there, but returning home for health reasons. He loved the Black Sea and mostly painted marine art.
Sudkovsky (1850-1885) was born in Ochakiv. He studied painting in Odesa and St. Petersburg, reaching success there, but returning home for health reasons. He loved the Black Sea and mostly painted marine art.
August 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Steamship Moskva at the storm", 1884, by Rufin Sudkovsky
Sudkovsky (1850-1885) was born in Ochakiv. He studied painting in Odesa and St. Petersburg, reaching success there, but returning home for health reasons. He loved the Black Sea and mostly painted marine art.
Sudkovsky (1850-1885) was born in Ochakiv. He studied painting in Odesa and St. Petersburg, reaching success there, but returning home for health reasons. He loved the Black Sea and mostly painted marine art.
A new post in my #UkrainianVoices Series: Oksana Zabuzhko, on the time-proven method of negotiations with the Russians: www.patreon.com/posts/136184...
Enjoy!
#Ukraine #Russia #Putin
Enjoy!
#Ukraine #Russia #Putin
August 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A new post in my #UkrainianVoices Series: Oksana Zabuzhko, on the time-proven method of negotiations with the Russians: www.patreon.com/posts/136184...
Enjoy!
#Ukraine #Russia #Putin
Enjoy!
#Ukraine #Russia #Putin
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Justice of the peace", 1887, by Mykola Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov (1850-1929) was born in a wealthy family in the Kherson region. As a young man, he went against the will of his parents and started living with a seasonal worker girl from Volyn, eventually marrying her.
Kuznetsov (1850-1929) was born in a wealthy family in the Kherson region. As a young man, he went against the will of his parents and started living with a seasonal worker girl from Volyn, eventually marrying her.
August 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Justice of the peace", 1887, by Mykola Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov (1850-1929) was born in a wealthy family in the Kherson region. As a young man, he went against the will of his parents and started living with a seasonal worker girl from Volyn, eventually marrying her.
Kuznetsov (1850-1929) was born in a wealthy family in the Kherson region. As a young man, he went against the will of his parents and started living with a seasonal worker girl from Volyn, eventually marrying her.
Back in 2019, it appears that HBO used a Russian subcontractor to advise them on certain legal issues related to their famous TV series "Chernobyl". Yes, to the place, events, and people who were located in #Ukraine. What could go wrong? Read more here: www.patreon.com/posts/lookin...
August 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Back in 2019, it appears that HBO used a Russian subcontractor to advise them on certain legal issues related to their famous TV series "Chernobyl". Yes, to the place, events, and people who were located in #Ukraine. What could go wrong? Read more here: www.patreon.com/posts/lookin...
You can now read part 2 of my Cossacks series: Names and Peoples. Cossacks or Zaporizhians? Cherkasy and Circassians. Hetmanate and Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. Cossacks and Kazakhs. Dnipro Cossacks and Don Cossacks. Everything is connected. Enjoy your reading: www.patreon.com/posts/135175...
August 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
You can now read part 2 of my Cossacks series: Names and Peoples. Cossacks or Zaporizhians? Cherkasy and Circassians. Hetmanate and Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. Cossacks and Kazakhs. Dnipro Cossacks and Don Cossacks. Everything is connected. Enjoy your reading: www.patreon.com/posts/135175...
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Before the rain", 1880, by Kostiantyn Kryzhytsky
Despite living in St. Petersburg, Kryzhytsky often travels to his native Kyiv and draws mostly Ukrainian landscapes. The weather in the picture is the exact weather we have had in Kyiv for the last two weeks or so.
Despite living in St. Petersburg, Kryzhytsky often travels to his native Kyiv and draws mostly Ukrainian landscapes. The weather in the picture is the exact weather we have had in Kyiv for the last two weeks or so.
August 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Before the rain", 1880, by Kostiantyn Kryzhytsky
Despite living in St. Petersburg, Kryzhytsky often travels to his native Kyiv and draws mostly Ukrainian landscapes. The weather in the picture is the exact weather we have had in Kyiv for the last two weeks or so.
Despite living in St. Petersburg, Kryzhytsky often travels to his native Kyiv and draws mostly Ukrainian landscapes. The weather in the picture is the exact weather we have had in Kyiv for the last two weeks or so.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Bohdan Khmelnytsky entering Kyiv in December 1648", by Mykola Ivasiuk.
Ivasiuk (1865–1937) was born in Zastavna, Bukovyna. He studied at the Munich and Vienna art academies. Ivasiuk lived in [Romanian] Chernivtsi until he moved to [Soviet] Kyiv in 1926, ⬇️
Ivasiuk (1865–1937) was born in Zastavna, Bukovyna. He studied at the Munich and Vienna art academies. Ivasiuk lived in [Romanian] Chernivtsi until he moved to [Soviet] Kyiv in 1926, ⬇️
July 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Bohdan Khmelnytsky entering Kyiv in December 1648", by Mykola Ivasiuk.
Ivasiuk (1865–1937) was born in Zastavna, Bukovyna. He studied at the Munich and Vienna art academies. Ivasiuk lived in [Romanian] Chernivtsi until he moved to [Soviet] Kyiv in 1926, ⬇️
Ivasiuk (1865–1937) was born in Zastavna, Bukovyna. He studied at the Munich and Vienna art academies. Ivasiuk lived in [Romanian] Chernivtsi until he moved to [Soviet] Kyiv in 1926, ⬇️
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Ukrania quae et Terra Cosaccorum cum vicinis Walachiae, Moldoviae", 1720, by Johann Baptiste Homann".
One of the illustrations for my new Patreon post on the various names of the Ukrainian Cossacks. Paid members can see it now, free members will see it on August 1.
One of the illustrations for my new Patreon post on the various names of the Ukrainian Cossacks. Paid members can see it now, free members will see it on August 1.
July 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Ukrania quae et Terra Cosaccorum cum vicinis Walachiae, Moldoviae", 1720, by Johann Baptiste Homann".
One of the illustrations for my new Patreon post on the various names of the Ukrainian Cossacks. Paid members can see it now, free members will see it on August 1.
One of the illustrations for my new Patreon post on the various names of the Ukrainian Cossacks. Paid members can see it now, free members will see it on August 1.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "The sunrise in Feodosia", 1855, by Ivan Aivazovsky.
Aivazovsky was born in the Black Sea port of Feodosia in Crimea, an ancient city known historically as Kaffa. Though he enjoyed great success all over Europe, he decided to live, teach, and work in his home town.
Aivazovsky was born in the Black Sea port of Feodosia in Crimea, an ancient city known historically as Kaffa. Though he enjoyed great success all over Europe, he decided to live, teach, and work in his home town.
July 29, 2025 at 1:26 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "The sunrise in Feodosia", 1855, by Ivan Aivazovsky.
Aivazovsky was born in the Black Sea port of Feodosia in Crimea, an ancient city known historically as Kaffa. Though he enjoyed great success all over Europe, he decided to live, teach, and work in his home town.
Aivazovsky was born in the Black Sea port of Feodosia in Crimea, an ancient city known historically as Kaffa. Though he enjoyed great success all over Europe, he decided to live, teach, and work in his home town.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Prisoner", 1878, by Mykola Yaroshenko.
Born in Poltava, a successful military engineer (retired in the rank of general), Yaroshenko maintained a passion for painting. His home was a regular meeting place for the most famous artists and intellectuals of his time.
Born in Poltava, a successful military engineer (retired in the rank of general), Yaroshenko maintained a passion for painting. His home was a regular meeting place for the most famous artists and intellectuals of his time.
July 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Prisoner", 1878, by Mykola Yaroshenko.
Born in Poltava, a successful military engineer (retired in the rank of general), Yaroshenko maintained a passion for painting. His home was a regular meeting place for the most famous artists and intellectuals of his time.
Born in Poltava, a successful military engineer (retired in the rank of general), Yaroshenko maintained a passion for painting. His home was a regular meeting place for the most famous artists and intellectuals of his time.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Fair in Poltava", by Volodymyr Makovsky, 1885-1910.
Poltava was founded around 900. From the 17th century, it became an important administrative and economic centre. For some period in the 19th century, the Poltava Fair was the third biggest in the Russian Empire.
Poltava was founded around 900. From the 17th century, it became an important administrative and economic centre. For some period in the 19th century, the Poltava Fair was the third biggest in the Russian Empire.
July 20, 2025 at 8:26 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Fair in Poltava", by Volodymyr Makovsky, 1885-1910.
Poltava was founded around 900. From the 17th century, it became an important administrative and economic centre. For some period in the 19th century, the Poltava Fair was the third biggest in the Russian Empire.
Poltava was founded around 900. From the 17th century, it became an important administrative and economic centre. For some period in the 19th century, the Poltava Fair was the third biggest in the Russian Empire.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Red sunset over Dnipro", by Arkhyp Kuindzhy, 1905-8.
Kuindzhy, born in Mariupol, painted many different landscapes. His most impressive and famous works, however, are the landscapes of southern Ukraine, with their deep, saturated colours, and warm lighting.
Kuindzhy, born in Mariupol, painted many different landscapes. His most impressive and famous works, however, are the landscapes of southern Ukraine, with their deep, saturated colours, and warm lighting.
July 18, 2025 at 8:40 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "Red sunset over Dnipro", by Arkhyp Kuindzhy, 1905-8.
Kuindzhy, born in Mariupol, painted many different landscapes. His most impressive and famous works, however, are the landscapes of southern Ukraine, with their deep, saturated colours, and warm lighting.
Kuindzhy, born in Mariupol, painted many different landscapes. His most impressive and famous works, however, are the landscapes of southern Ukraine, with their deep, saturated colours, and warm lighting.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: Taras Shevchenko, Autoportrait, 1840, and Autoportrait, 1861.
Born as a slave, through his talent for painting, Shevchenko became a popular artist. But he chose to be Ukraine's national poet, which brought him exile and poverty. And eternal reverence from his people.
Born as a slave, through his talent for painting, Shevchenko became a popular artist. But he chose to be Ukraine's national poet, which brought him exile and poverty. And eternal reverence from his people.
July 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: Taras Shevchenko, Autoportrait, 1840, and Autoportrait, 1861.
Born as a slave, through his talent for painting, Shevchenko became a popular artist. But he chose to be Ukraine's national poet, which brought him exile and poverty. And eternal reverence from his people.
Born as a slave, through his talent for painting, Shevchenko became a popular artist. But he chose to be Ukraine's national poet, which brought him exile and poverty. And eternal reverence from his people.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "A sunny day", 1889, by Kostiantyn Kryzhytsky.
This picture, along with hundreds of others, was stolen by the Moscovian army from the Kherson Art Museum in 2022.
The Russian Federation is a thief. It has to be prosecuted and punished to become a normal world citizen.
This picture, along with hundreds of others, was stolen by the Moscovian army from the Kherson Art Museum in 2022.
The Russian Federation is a thief. It has to be prosecuted and punished to become a normal world citizen.
July 16, 2025 at 8:25 PM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "A sunny day", 1889, by Kostiantyn Kryzhytsky.
This picture, along with hundreds of others, was stolen by the Moscovian army from the Kherson Art Museum in 2022.
The Russian Federation is a thief. It has to be prosecuted and punished to become a normal world citizen.
This picture, along with hundreds of others, was stolen by the Moscovian army from the Kherson Art Museum in 2022.
The Russian Federation is a thief. It has to be prosecuted and punished to become a normal world citizen.
Oleksii Kopytko, former Ukrainian MOD advisor, on Trump, Rutte, Patriots, Europe, Moscovia, and #Ukraine.
"On Melania, the Air Defense Provider. The wheels of pre-vacation activity have started spinning; let's look at the manifestations..."
Read full text (free) here: www.patreon.com/posts/134212...
"On Melania, the Air Defense Provider. The wheels of pre-vacation activity have started spinning; let's look at the manifestations..."
Read full text (free) here: www.patreon.com/posts/134212...
July 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Oleksii Kopytko, former Ukrainian MOD advisor, on Trump, Rutte, Patriots, Europe, Moscovia, and #Ukraine.
"On Melania, the Air Defense Provider. The wheels of pre-vacation activity have started spinning; let's look at the manifestations..."
Read full text (free) here: www.patreon.com/posts/134212...
"On Melania, the Air Defense Provider. The wheels of pre-vacation activity have started spinning; let's look at the manifestations..."
Read full text (free) here: www.patreon.com/posts/134212...
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "A wonderer", 1880, by Kostiantyn Trutovsky.
In the isolated pre-industrial and early industrial society of 19th-century Ukraine, any person coming from outside the village, especially from afar, was a significant figure, bearing knowledge about the unknown world.
In the isolated pre-industrial and early industrial society of 19th-century Ukraine, any person coming from outside the village, especially from afar, was a significant figure, bearing knowledge about the unknown world.
July 15, 2025 at 11:17 AM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: "A wonderer", 1880, by Kostiantyn Trutovsky.
In the isolated pre-industrial and early industrial society of 19th-century Ukraine, any person coming from outside the village, especially from afar, was a significant figure, bearing knowledge about the unknown world.
In the isolated pre-industrial and early industrial society of 19th-century Ukraine, any person coming from outside the village, especially from afar, was a significant figure, bearing knowledge about the unknown world.
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: let's get the work week started with "Preparing the nets", 1892, by Volodymyr Orlovsky (1842-1914).
In 1897, Orlovsky became ill with typhoid and, following the advice of his doctors, moved from St. Petersburg to Kyiv, and, later, to Genoa in Italy.
In 1897, Orlovsky became ill with typhoid and, following the advice of his doctors, moved from St. Petersburg to Kyiv, and, later, to Genoa in Italy.
July 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM
#Ukraine #ClassicArt of the day: let's get the work week started with "Preparing the nets", 1892, by Volodymyr Orlovsky (1842-1914).
In 1897, Orlovsky became ill with typhoid and, following the advice of his doctors, moved from St. Petersburg to Kyiv, and, later, to Genoa in Italy.
In 1897, Orlovsky became ill with typhoid and, following the advice of his doctors, moved from St. Petersburg to Kyiv, and, later, to Genoa in Italy.
A couple of weeks ago, I was struck by the realisation that many foreigners do not know who the Ukrainian Cossacks were. For almost every modern Ukrainian, it is nonsense, as a Cossack = Ukrainian.
So, I tried to fill the void with a list of recommended basic reading: www.patreon.com/posts/who-ar...
So, I tried to fill the void with a list of recommended basic reading: www.patreon.com/posts/who-ar...
July 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A couple of weeks ago, I was struck by the realisation that many foreigners do not know who the Ukrainian Cossacks were. For almost every modern Ukrainian, it is nonsense, as a Cossack = Ukrainian.
So, I tried to fill the void with a list of recommended basic reading: www.patreon.com/posts/who-ar...
So, I tried to fill the void with a list of recommended basic reading: www.patreon.com/posts/who-ar...