Ukrainian Areas Research Articles

War drives forest fire risks and highlights the need for more ecologically-sound forest management in post-war Ukraine.

Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has experienced full-scale military aggression initiated by the Russian Federation. The war has had a major negative impact on vegetation cover of war-affected regions. We explored interactions between pre-war forest management and the impacts of military activities in three of the most forested Ukrainian areas of interest (AOI), affected by the war. These were forests lying between Kharkiv and Luhansk cities (AOI 'East'), forests along the Dnipro River delta (AOI 'Kherson'), and those of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (AOI CEZ). We used Sentinel satellite imagery to create damaged forest cover masks for the year 2022. We mapped forests with elevated fire hazard, which was defined as a degree of exposure to the fire-supporting land use (mostly an agricultural land, a common source of ignitions in Ukraine). We evaluated the forest disturbance rate in 2022, as compared to pre-war rates. We documented significant increases in non-stand replacing disturbances (low severity fires and non-fire disturbances) for all three of the AOIs. Damaged forest cover varied among the AOIs (24,180 ± 4,715ha, or 9.3% ± 1.8% in the 'East' AOI; 7,293 ± 1,925ha, or 15.7% ± 4.1% in the 'Kherson' AOI; 7,116 ± 1,274ha, or 5.0% ± 0.9% in the CEZ AOI). Among the forests damaged in 2022, the 'Kherson' AOI will likely have the highest proportion of an area with elevated fire hazard in the coming decades, as compared to other regions (89% vs. 70% in the 'East' and CEZ AOIs respectively). Future fire risks and extensive war-related disturbance of forest cover call for forest management to develop strategies explicitly addressing these factors.

Late Witchcraft Prosecutions in Imperial Russia within a Comparative European Context

Abstract While Russia was an early practitioner within a European context in ceasing to apply the death penalty against suspected witches and sorcerers in 1744, it continued to prosecute them in what became a two-tiered system under Catherine II that lasted until the mid-nineteenth century. The last known prosecutions of witchcraft in Russia in the 1860s occurred several decades after the very last trials in places such as Bavaria (1792), Württemberg (1805), and Spain (1820). Based on archival and legal sources, this essay focuses on Catherine’s limited measures of decriminalization largely through the creation of “merciful” courts of equity in Russian and Ukrainian areas of the empire and their unintended consequences, including the aggravation of existing social tensions in the countryside.

Cross-border cooperation in selected Carpathian countries

Cross-border cooperation helps to mitigate the negative effects of the border and overcome the consequences of the location of border areas. The article aims to identify the ways of using the cultural and natural potential in EU Cross-border Cooperation Programmes implemented in the Polish, Slovak, and Ukrainian areas of the Carpathians. The analysis covers the existing data using the method of examining strategic documents of the Programmes: Poland-Slovakia, Poland-Belarus-Ukraine, Hungary-Slovakia-Ukraine, and Hungary- Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine, implemented in three programming periods (2004-2020). A quantitative analysis of the projects concerning the use of cultural and natural heritage, which was implemented under the presented Programmes, was also carried out. The research was used to answer the following questions: (1) what kinds of projects with the use of cultural and natural heritage are carried out, (2) are there differences in the ways of using cultural and natural heritage, (3) are there differences between the Programmes implemented in internal and external border regions of the EU. The study made it possible to establish that in the case of all the Programmes, cultural and natural values are considered a strength of the regions and are associated with significant expectations in terms of their use in the development of these areas. At the same time, it is noticed that they are used insufficiently. Activities related to the use of cultural and natural heritage were supported in all the Programmes; however, it was the method of financing that largely determined the taking of action. Traditional (typical) ways of using natural and cultural resources are still dominant.

IDEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AS EXPRESSIONS OF CONTEXTUAL AND PUBLIC AND SOCIAL PATTERNS IN 1930S CREATIVITY ART

Research objective. Choral art of the 1930s is of considerable historical and artistic value. His ideology reinforces interest in research in view of the development of a factual and statistical base in relation to that period and approaches to a holistic view of it as a phenomenon unfolding in a very specific space. The aim of the study is to take a step towards filling the knowledge gap by identifying contextual predetermining and influences, binding style analysis, and providing a basis for panoramic understanding of choral art in the 1930s as a significant component of the then mass culture of both Ukrainian areas on the basis of the systematization of data on conceptual, genre-related peculiarities and stylistics of choral opuses of the given period. The scientific novelty (taking into account the factors of educational, system-forming and artistic influence of collective music on individual and mass consciousness) is determined by the comprehension of analogies and differences between political parties and different areas of creativity, as well as identifying typical patterns in this important area. The methodology is based on fixing a peculiar transgression aimed at overcoming the idea of an impassable ideological boundary between the choral arts of Western and Soviet Ukraine. This methodological “shift” is necessary for the field of study of academic choral music and mass choral song, as well as for the formation of objective and weighted “cultural history”. Conclusions. Choral art as an art form in this complex decade demonstrates a rather flexible genre-style system. Its verbal and musical concepts legitimately identify contextual and societal patterns. These concepts contributed to the transformation of abstractions into the universals of mass consciousness, revealing signs of the association of genres with certain ideological content, while leaving the rest wide field for their identification with various phenomena. The potential of creative search beyond strict censorship remains high, encouraging further study of choral creativity of that time.

Insular dialect and foreign-language environment (on the material of the Ukrainian dialects of Bashkortostan)

The article is devoted to the issue of the interaction of insular Ukrainian dialects abroad and the foreign dialectal environment. It is emphasized that such interaction is two-way: not only insular dialects adopt the features of contact languages, but vice versa — the impact of insular dialects on the foreign language environment is noticeable, which is illustrated by the example of Ukrainian and Russian dialects of Bashkortostan. The analysis showed that the “Dictionary of the Russian Dialects of Bashkiria” affirms a significant Ukrainian influence on the non-Ukrainian dialects of these areas, as it contains a lot of vocabulary of Ukrainian origin in the dialects that are represented in the dictionary as Russian ones. The analyzed dictionary presents both commonly used Ukrainian lexis, which belongs to the active vocabulary of speech, and passivized lexis, including ethnographicisms, names from the sphere of spiritual culture and nominations of realities that have fallen out of use. It was found that loanwords from Ukrainian presented in the dictionary are different parts of speech. At the same time, the originally Ukrainian lexis in the Russian dialects of Bashkortostan can have a different temporal origin: it can be borrowed not only directly from Ukrainian settlers in Bashkyria, but also brought from genetically Ukrainian areas in the southeast of the Russian Federation (for example, Voronezh region, Kuban, etc.). It creates a certain difficulty for the researcher in analyzing of language material and the need to refer to a wider source background. Keywords: insular dialects, enclave dialects, foreign-language environment, foreign-dialect environment, Ukrainian enclaves, Ukrainian dialects in a foreign-language environment, loanwords

Trends in the Development of Innovation Infrastructure of the Regions of Ukraine for the Introduction of Smart Specialization “Creative Industries”

The article analyzes the main changes in the formation of the policy of regional development of Ukraine in adapting Ukrainian legislation to the legislation of the European Union. In particular, the consequences of the decentralization process, innovations in regional strategic planning through the prism of state policy of innovation development are outlined. The concepts of "creative industries" and "smart specialization" are presented. The peculiarities of using the tool of action of individual regions - smart specialization, based on the existing experience of the European Union member states are revealed. The Ukrainian areas where smart specialization is defined as creative industries, as one of the leading countries' promising dynamic economic spheres, have been singled out. Ukraine's position on competitiveness and the development of innovative activity is presented. At the same time, it is noted that the existing directions of development of innovation activities, defined in the state strategy of Ukraine, provide for the systematic development of innovation infrastructure. It is substantiated that the provision of infrastructure for the development of creative industries should be carried out by creating the Centers for Creative Economy. It is proposed to determine the functioning of the Centers of Creative Economy in the regions of Ukraine, where the creative industries are defined as intelligent specialization, based on a globally oriented and integrated approach. The purpose and impact of such innovation centres on specific areas of civil society using these approaches are reflected. The results of activities that the region and the state will receive from the process of functioning of innovation centres are outlined. The goals of sustainable development that can be achieved in Ukraine through the proposed changes have been identified.

Costume formation specialties on Ukrainian areas during the Middle Ages

Purpose of the article is to perform a comparison analysis of reconstructed variants of medieval costumes to discover the main formation patterns. To define strong historical long-term signs in forms and types of outfits. To determine costumes’ architectonics from different periods of the Middle Ages. Methodology. Methodologically author correlated data of practical archeology and art masterpieces. Scientific novelty determes reconstruction of costumes of sideline historical periods from pra-Slavic till the Late Middle Ages allows to discover a chain of permanent and variable signs. Conclusions. Architectonics of pra-Slavic costume had double or probably tipple layered structure which was kept in the Middle Ages as well. The costume basics could be considered a tunic-type outfit. Women had a two-tiered model of breastplate related to German tradition. Also in common is the tradition of embroidering necklaces. The other features of Chernyakhiv and Antes dresses do not match. Corals and amber were used as jewelry since pra-Slavic period. In the outfit of the Ancient Rus two-tiered model is not used. Since the High Middle Ages appeared some elements which after transformation where adopted in Ukrainian folk outfit. In the hat group there were forms of the towel types know as mantles (namitka) or tablecloths (obrus) as well as sewn caps (očipok). In the group of outerwear - the suite (svyta) and the casing (kožuch). These two types of shoulder clothing over the centuries have become buttoned (unlike the old Russian ones).

Functions and value of personal self-employed agriculture in social and economic development of rural Ukrainian areas

It was established that the market transformation of property relations in agriculture led to the formation of a complex economy, the development of small-scale production, which is organically combined and successfully complements large and medium forms of management. It is proved that the social significance of personal country farms manifests itself in counteracting unemployment, creating opportunities for income growth, improving the quality of life, social security, self-organization of rural residents. The social aspect of OSG's activity is particularly important in times of economic crisis, when in agriculture and most other sectors massive job cuts are applied. It is generalized that in view of the diversity and diversity of the OSG functions, in order to achieve a deeper understanding of the essence of the investigated category, the classification of functions of rural households on the orientational basis of interaction with various spheres of social activity was conducted. It is substantiated that this characteristic corresponds to the essence of the OSG to the greatest extent, since it allows us to comprehensively characterize the research object as a complex category, which is an organic and inalienable component of several different socioeconomic systems different in its nature. The typical functions of a personal country economy are systematized, taking into account the requirements of three components of social life: social, economic, organizational. It is concluded that the functions of OSG population in their essential content are similar to the functions of agrarian entrepreneurship subjects. It is proved that personal country farms, despite the low marketability, carry out a number of socially important functions now, is an additional reserve for ensuring the growth of agricultural output, which the rural population perceives as a need for survival. It was emphasized that the development of OSG is closely linked with the provision of food security of the country, which led to the idea of ​​strengthening their role and importance in the formation of commodity supply and sustainable development of rural areas. It is envisioned that in case of non-dilution of the OSG value in the development of agriculture in the country, the conversion of a country farmer into an ordinary hired worker may lead to negative consequences for the whole society, such as the settlement of the rural population, the loss of their sense of ownership on their land and motivation to work, rural lifestyle and ultimately the domestic country traditions and culture. Key words: personal country economy, function, rural population, rural territories, rural households.

ЕКОНОМІЧНА ОСВІТА ДІТЕЙ І ДОРОСЛИХ НА ЗАХІДНОУКРАЇНСЬКИХ ЗЕМЛЯХ У ПЕДАГОГІЧНІЙ ТЕОРІЇ: РЕТРОСПЕКТИВНИЙ ПОГЛЯД

ЕКОНОМІЧНА ОСВІТА ДІТЕЙ І ДОРОСЛИХ НА ЗАХІДНОУКРАЇНСЬКИХ ЗЕМЛЯХ У ПЕДАГОГІЧНІЙ ТЕОРІЇ: РЕТРОСПЕКТИВНИЙ ПОГЛЯД

The assessment of the social-economic elaboration of the Ukraine in independent yearswithin the DMSP/OLS satellite data about the night lighting

The dependence of intensity of the night lighting of Ukrainian territory (DMSP/OLS satellite data) on quantity of population, were estimate the social-economic conditions and it changing in the particular areas from 1992 to 2012 years. On the obtained data were done ranking of the Ukrainian areas on social-economic conditions. Obtained data was confirmed with statistical information about changing of the urban and rural population number. It shows that the satellite data DMSP/OLS can be used for monitoring and express assessment of changes in economic and socials fields of particular areas.

Posztszocialista jóllét és területi egyenlőtlenség a Kárpát-medencében

This study analyzes the spatial inequality patterns of the Carpathian Basin in light of social well-being and based on social statistical methods conducted on the findings of relevant scientific literature. The investigation was carried on within national and regional contexts, examining seven Hungarian, four Slovakian, three Romanian, one Serbian, one Ukrainian, and, lastly, one Austrian NUTS 2 regions (the last one also allowing the comparison with Western European social, economic and spatial models). The empirical research aims are comprised of the so-called Stiglitz dimensions of social well-being: income, deprivation, risk of poverty, educational attainment, unemployment, health and, furthermore, some important dimensions of socio-spatial inequality. Within the confines of the study, we expressed each dimension by its most characteristic indicator and used the results to rank and typify the Carpathian Basin regions to look for similarities and differences between them. The results back the well-known Western/Eastern or, even more, Western/Southeastern development slope concerning all the examined indicators. Burgenland, Western Slovakia, Western Hungary and the Budapest Agglomeration emerge out as the most developed areas of the Carpathian Basin, thanks to their localization (i.e. closeness to the European Union’s ‘centers’), their economic strength, and the diversity of their R+D+I facilities. The Eastern regions – and in particular the Serbian and Ukrainian areas – on the other hand, are lagging behind in terms of social and economic progress. Shedding light on both inter- and intraregional disparities, our study highlights dichotomies between urban-rural, Western-Eastern, and advantageous and disadvantageous (i.e. pertaining to their accessibility, e.g. distance from motorway, from the capital, from the nearest regional hub, etc.) dimensions. Moreover, there are particular regions (e.g. deindustrialized crises areas, regions characterized by a high proportion of low-income strata and Roma minority, or territories with vast agricultural lands), where any development attempts aiming to improve social well-being so far has been futile. We also verified our diverse empirical investigations by spatial autocorrelation: while the socio-economic attributes of the most developed regions unambiguously show convergence and decreasing inequality, within and between the underdeveloped regions the same indicators present a backward convergence with slow and hindered socio-economic progress. This finding demonstrates that apart from the different region-types’ convergent processes, inequality increases throughout the Carpathian Basin also in an absolute term.

Rhabdocline needle cast — most recent findings of the occurrence of Rhabdocline pseudotsugae in Douglas-fir seeds

Rhabdocline pseudotsugae Syd. is one of the major fungal pathogens in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). To date, macroscopic and microscopic analyses of disease symptoms have resulted in the description of the Rhabdocline needle cast pathogen as a highly specialized needle parasite. In practice, the parasite has traditionally been identified by its fruiting bodies on infected needles. But nevertheless, it is not possible to detect the fungus if typical morphological traits are absent. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based techniques facilitate the detection of even small quantities of fungal DNA, regardless of the existence of visible fungal structures. Recent investigations into paths of infection and distribution using PCR have identified R. pseudotsugae in various types of Douglas-fir tissue including embryonic tissue which did not exhibit any symptoms. Taking these findings as a basis, the present study systematically tested seeds from five German, 13 North American, and two Ukrainian areas of origin for infection with R. pseudotsugae. The fungus was definitively detected in samples from five German and seven North American areas of origin. Nineteen percent of the tested seeds were infected. This indicates that infected seeds might represent another potential source of infection in addition to the ascospore-based distribution of R. pseudotsugae.

Ukrainian Insurgency against the Post-War Sovietization: The Case of the Female Teachers from the East in Western Ukraine

In 1944, after the entry of the Red Army on the territory of the Western Ukraine, the Sovietization, which has been stopped by the war, proceeded. The Soviet power pressed ahead with the industrialization, collectivization and cultural transformations of the Western Ukrainian areas at a good pace. The special role of these transformations occupied the changes and developments of the educational system, which was supported by thousands of specialists from Eastern Ukraine and partly Russia. These specialists represented among others functions as propagators of the socialistic ideas and as fighters against West Ukrainian nationalists. In large part, their majority (medical and educational sector) was composed of women. The author focuses on the dispositions of arriving female “strangers”, “enemies on the territory“, who were situated between observing and pressure by the Soviet power on the one hand and punitive actions by Ukrainian nationalists on the other. The documents point to an ambivalent situation: on one hand, there was a wide spectrum of cooperation between the young Komsomol girls with the OUN; on the other hand, there were acts of violence against the specialists from the East by the nationalists.