dr.P.O.N.
.020 Over
One couldn't put this thought in better words.
History can't be divided into black and white, just as it can't be objective. There are always to sides of the medal. For example, Russian (and Soviet) historians always proclaimed that Napoleon never conquered Moscow, instead, the city was burned down to the ground by Russian troops and ashes were left for Napoleon to enjoy. However, Moscow is in the list of the capitals Napoleon has taken. This list circles his magnificent sarcophagus in Paris.
It is extremely hard to figure what was happening long time ago, as chronicles were always bias. Which is understandable. Most of these guys were supported by their governments financially, so they had twist some facts.
As to Ukrainian history... Well... It's filled with events, glorious and disgraceful both. Again, hard to figure out how they really took place. Especially considering the fact that Russia (as an Empire), just as USSR later on, did their best to belittle and depreciate any achievements of its colonies (republics, in Soviet terms). They also tried very hard and, unfortunately, mostly succeeded in deleting national identity of non-Russians. This was done through forcing Russian as a main language in all spheres of life, developing and promoting a lifestyle of a Soviet Person. Tovarisch, yep. National traditions and cultural cultural characteristics were meticulously stomped into ground or at least looked at with condescension. Results? Take a look at Belarus. They have their own language. Theoretically. Practically though you won't hear anyone speaking Belorussian in the street. And most of the people who do are considered hostile to current regime. Nationalism is frowned upon there.
There is a small ethnical group known as Rusyns. I don't know much about them. There is an article in Wikipedia that sheds some light on the subject. At the same time, it's highly complicated to say what culture dwellers of Western Ukraine carry. That part of the country has always been under the rule of neighbouring states. Austro-Hungarian empire, Poland, you name it. Needless to say that all these cultures have left their trace. Even today in Lviv, for example, people speak a language that has numerous words and grammatical structures borrowed from Polish and Hungarian languages which were morphed into local dialect. Speaking of Transcarpathia including Mukachevo which you've mentioned... I have huge problems understanding locals there, even though I can understand classical Ukrainian perfectly.
Given such a warm welcome here and overall courtesy of this forum, I'd never expect such an indecency.
Unfortunately I have to say that Putin is not the reason why Russia is doing what it's doing. Putin is a product of that society. I am absolutely sure that he IS a legitimate president. Granted, there was some fraud during the last elections, but I can assure you he'd still win in the first stage of elections. Moreover, if Putin disappears right now, Russian will find and elect Putin-2. You'd be surprised how many people blindly support him. It must be some kind of deviation. People there need a Czar. Not a president, who is in fact a manager on nations payroll. No. They need a God's anointed Czar. Any government is sacral to them. That's part of the reason there is so much hatred towards Ukrainians nowadays. We've decided that Yanukovich has gone too far, so we threw him down. That just doesn't fit their paradigm.
There is a second huge part of Russians which is pejoratively called "sovkodrochery". Direct translation would be something like "those who jerk off to Soviet Union". These guys dream of going back to Soviet era. Most of them are too young to understand what life was back then. Some of them are ready to stand in lines for hours just to have a chance to buy soap or hardly eatable sausages in exchange for military power. They want the other world to fear them. That's their goal of life. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I assure you I am not lying. Yes, they honor Stalin. And yes, they see Putin as a "hard hand" that can lead Russia to the glory (yeah, right) of the USSR.
I feel that I am writing things normal people would have problems understanding, yet it's just that inane.
I think there is a difference between Putin and simple Russian nationalists. Putin is playing a nationalist. While people are going crazy with hatred, false patriotism and thirst for occupation and blood, he's throwing more and more billions to his stash. I don't think he has any nationalistic feelings. What he definitely has is a superiority complex. That's why anyone who's trying to ruin his plans and sway his throne arouses fear and aggression in him.
That'd be some trip. Would you decide taking it, rent a BMW R1200GS or something like it. Most of the roads here can be dangerous to those who are accustomed to good tarmac. Huge potholes out of the blue and other surprises. The further you go off the main roads, the worse it gets.
And of course, I'd be more than eager to help you with planning such a trip. Come to Odessa and one night of beers is on me.