“At 20, I made a vow to heaven – to win freedom for Ukraine” – quotes from dissident Levko Lukianenko
© bukvy.org
When the decisive moment came – August 24, 1991 – Levko Lukianenko knew he was walking the path he had sworn to follow in his youth: “We were all hugging, they lifted me up in their arms, and I thought: if my life ended right now, I would know that I had not lived it in vain.” Today Levko Lukianenko would have turned 97. His contribution to shaping modern Ukrainian history is hard to overestimate, for he gave his entire life to his country.
A vow to heaven
“[The vow to heaven] appeared when I learned about our national hero Severyn Nalyvaiko. And from then on, the thought that Ukraine deserves to be an independent state never left me – it grew, deepened, and strengthened. At 20, I made a vow to heaven – to win freedom for Ukraine.”
For Lukianenko, independence was never an abstract idea – he saw his life as part of a great chain of struggle:
“I decided that I had taken the banner of the fight for Ukraine’s independence from the hands of the UPA and must carry it as long as I could. That was my mission.”
Faith and inspiration
In the darkest moments, he turned to God, asking not only for endurance but also for the ability to inspire others:
“God, give my head the strength to radiate thought so that through the heavenly sphere I may ignite the noble souls of Ukrainians to fight for independence.”
For Lukianenko, Ukraine’s struggle always went beyond national borders – it was a war against imperial evil in all its forms:
“The Russian Federation – a reduced empire of evil – has entered into contradiction with the technical, humanitarian and moral realities of the 21st century and must be dismantled. For the real freedom of Ukraine, for the national freedom of Ichkeria, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan and other peoples under Moscow’s colonial yoke – begin mobilization (on a voluntary basis) of people of different nationalities, especially citizens of the former USSR and so-called people’s democracies, into the Ukrainian army! Call on governments and peoples who value national freedom to join the common struggle against the empire of evil, to liberate Moscow’s colonies and allow them free development.”
From Soviet collapse to future liberation
Lukianenko believed that the collapse of the USSR was only the first phase – the second would be the liberation of peoples still under Moscow’s control:
“In principle, Moscow is powerless against Ukraine: for 280 years Ukrainians helped the Muscovites build the Russian empire, and now fate obliges us to destroy it. And we will. In 1991, the first phase of collapse was when the union republics left Moscow’s rule; now autonomous republics will leave Russian bondage – over 60 federal subjects. These are all colonized peoples with suppressed identities.”
Against Moscow’s church influence
He strongly opposed Russia’s use of church structures for influence:
“I stand for a complete ban in Ukraine of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Moscow Patriarchate. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is dishonest even in calling itself simply ‘UOC,’ without clarifying that it belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate. A church that calls itself Ukrainian cannot be subordinated to Moscow. Ukraine must cleanse itself of Russian imperial traces and influence.”
Historical parallels and lessons
In his reflections, the dissident often compared Ukraine’s path to biblical history:
“Moses led the Jews out of Egyptian slavery for 40 years. He wandered with them in the desert until the old people died and a new, free generation was born. The old longed for Egypt, because there they had food and work. We now have a new generation being born in conditions of freedom. To speed up progress is nearly impossible.”
He harshly assessed the consequences of anti-Ukrainian elites in power, yet also saw unexpected positives:
“For 20 years, Ukraine was ruled not by patriotic forces but by people brought up in an anti-Ukrainian, pro-Moscow spirit. They looted and destroyed enormous industrial potential to please others, creating competitors for Ukrainian industry. But even though five million Ukrainians were forced to leave their homeland in search of bread abroad, there is also a positive moment. All these people are now, so to speak, Ukraine’s diplomats. They introduce the world to Ukraine. From their words, Spaniards, Portuguese and others learn that Ukraine is not Russia, that we have our own language and traditions. Ukraine disproves Moscow’s lies. This is just as important for strengthening our nation in the world.”
Temporary advantage vs. long-term truth
Lukianenko warned that Moscow’s temporary successes could not outweigh Ukrainians’ deep desire for freedom:
“The national spirit I saw in recent years was not yet deep enough, not fully rooted in people’s minds. So a small group of chauvinists and terrorist mercenaries sent by Russia rose up on provocations. Another factor was betrayal from within Ukraine. Why did they ‘love’ Russia? Like slaves sniffing for profit: they look where the power is, and go there. But they lacked the sense to realize this was only a temporary tactical advantage for Moscow, not a strategic one. Deeper factors will prevail, for Ukrainians love their country and value freedom – they have already tasted it and will defend independence.”
Breaking free from “Sovietness”
He sharply criticized the Soviet legacy that prevented Ukraine from becoming a full-fledged subject of the world:
“The West consists of states, each of which is egoistic and cares about its own people. That is normal. What is abnormal is us, Ukrainians, because Moscow raised us as internationalists. Our national feeling was killed. Ukrainians were turned into ‘homo sovieticus.’ We came out crippled – with very low national consciousness and civic activity. This is what we carried out of Russia’s prison of nations. Meanwhile, in the world, every people knows their homeland, their state, their government that takes care of them. That is why national egoism dominates globally. But we are internationalists, unprepared to defend Ukraine. Twenty-five years is too little to fully realize that only by loving this country, organizing within Ukraine, and building a nationalist Ukrainian government can we begin to revive.”
Testament to the nation
His spiritual testament to Ukrainians was simple but fundamental:
“Be brave, trust in destiny, and do not fear death. Above all, love your land, your father and mother, love Ukraine. You cannot hide behind the fence. Personal happiness and well-being are possible only in a happy, protected and respected Motherland.”
And even despite all threats, he never doubted the strength of the nation:
“Ukraine’s future depends on Ukrainians. No matter how hostile forces act against us, Ukraine is large enough that, once it gains the will to fight, it can neutralize anti-Ukrainian plans. The genetic intellect index of Ukrainians is one of the highest in the world.”
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