- Holodomor: The Great Famine of 1932-1933, where millions of Ukrainian people died due to starvation as a result of Soviet policies.
- Nazi Occupation: During the Second World War, Ukraine was occupied by Nazi Germany for about three years. During this time, millions of Ukrainians were killed, including Jews who were targeted for extermination, as well as many others who were killed for their political or ethnic identities.
- Chernobyl Disaster: The 1986 nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant released radioactive contamination across Ukraine and much of Europe, causing health problems and long-term effects on the environment and agriculture in Ukraine.
- Corruption and Political Instability: Ukraine has been plagued by corruption and political instability since it became independent in 1991. This has led to economic problems and difficulties for the Ukrainian people, as well as ongoing conflicts and challenges related to democracy and governance.
- War in Donbas: The ongoing conflict in the eastern region of Ukraine, known as the Donbas region, began in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea. This conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and displacement of many more.