In the heart of Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, 59-year-old Vitalii Dribnytsia has taken on a unique and challenging role as an educator amidst the backdrop of war. Utilizing the online platform Chatroulette, he engages with random Russians to share and clarify the rich history of Ukraine, aiming to dismantle the prevalent narratives propagated by the Kremlin that dismiss the country's sovereignty and cultural identity.
On any given day, Dribnytsia can be found logging into his laptop at a local cafe, ready to confront misinformation with a blend of historical facts and passionate discourse. His sessions often begin with a thought-provoking query: “Who does Crimea belong to?” This question, which taps into the heart of the ongoing conflict following Russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014, serves as a launching point for discussions delving into the historical complexities of Ukraine’s nationhood.
Over the past three years, Dribnytsia has conducted hundreds of these online conversations, where he aims to counter the belief that Ukraine’s existence as a nation is a Soviet construct. His method is straightforward: he adopts a calm yet direct approach to challenge views that are pervasive in Russian society, including the belief that Ukrainian leaders are neo-Nazis and that the Ukrainian language is merely a dialect of Russian.
The interactions are often intense and reveal a stark contrast in historical understanding. In a typical exchange, Dribnytsia eloquently presents Ukraine’s historical narrative, only for his conversation partner to dismiss it in favor of a more accepted belief upheld in Russian culture — that “Ukraine never existed and never will.” Despite these dismissals, Dribnytsia remains steadfast in his mission.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed: he has garnered a significant audience on YouTube through his channel, “Vox Veritatis,” which has nearly half a million subscribers. This platform has become a vital resource not only for Ukrainians looking to fortify their understanding of their identity but also for those seeking to articulate their nation’s right to self-determination based on historical truths.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Dribnytsia's work illustrates a unique form of cultural preservation and activism. By educating both Russians and Ukrainians about historical truths, he stands as a testament to the power of dialogue in resisting misinformation and asserting national identity in the face of adversity.
On any given day, Dribnytsia can be found logging into his laptop at a local cafe, ready to confront misinformation with a blend of historical facts and passionate discourse. His sessions often begin with a thought-provoking query: “Who does Crimea belong to?” This question, which taps into the heart of the ongoing conflict following Russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014, serves as a launching point for discussions delving into the historical complexities of Ukraine’s nationhood.
Over the past three years, Dribnytsia has conducted hundreds of these online conversations, where he aims to counter the belief that Ukraine’s existence as a nation is a Soviet construct. His method is straightforward: he adopts a calm yet direct approach to challenge views that are pervasive in Russian society, including the belief that Ukrainian leaders are neo-Nazis and that the Ukrainian language is merely a dialect of Russian.
The interactions are often intense and reveal a stark contrast in historical understanding. In a typical exchange, Dribnytsia eloquently presents Ukraine’s historical narrative, only for his conversation partner to dismiss it in favor of a more accepted belief upheld in Russian culture — that “Ukraine never existed and never will.” Despite these dismissals, Dribnytsia remains steadfast in his mission.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed: he has garnered a significant audience on YouTube through his channel, “Vox Veritatis,” which has nearly half a million subscribers. This platform has become a vital resource not only for Ukrainians looking to fortify their understanding of their identity but also for those seeking to articulate their nation’s right to self-determination based on historical truths.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, Dribnytsia's work illustrates a unique form of cultural preservation and activism. By educating both Russians and Ukrainians about historical truths, he stands as a testament to the power of dialogue in resisting misinformation and asserting national identity in the face of adversity.
