Editing History of Ukraine (section)

==== Liquidation of the Zaporozhian Sich ====
{{See also|Liquidation of the Zaporozhian Sich}}
During the 18th century, the [[Russian Empire]] transitioned from providing nominal "protection" to exerting direct control over central Ukraine, progressively eroding the autonomy of the Cossacks. The Cossack uprisings, which had once been directed against the [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]], now shifted focus to the Russian authorities. By the late 18th century, these uprisings had largely subsided, their potency undermined by the overwhelming might of the Russian Empire and deep divisions within the Cossack leadership.<ref>Яворницький Д.І. Запорожжя в залишках старовини і переказах народу: Ч. І; Ч.ІІ. К.: Веселка, 1995. – 447 с.: іл., с. 376 – 391.</ref>

[[File:1775 Zaporizhya.png|thumb|Territories controlled by Ukrainian Cossacks at the end of their existence]]
The [[Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774]] marked a pivotal moment for the Ukrainian Cossacks and their role within the Russian Empire. The Cossacks had provided crucial support during the war, significantly contributing to Russian victories. The conflict culminated in the [[Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca]], which granted Russia significant territorial acquisitions along the [[Black Sea]] coast, further consolidating its influence in the region. This success reduced the strategic importance of the [[Zaporozhian Sich]], as the borderlands the Cossacks had long defended were now firmly under Russian control. The geopolitical realignment weakened the Cossacks’ traditional role, setting the stage for their eventual demise.<ref>{{cite book |first=Brian L. |last=Davies |title=The Russo-Turkish War, 1768–1774 |location=New York |publisher= Bloomsbury Academic |year=2016 |isbn= 978-1-47250801-0 |page= 248}}</ref>

In 1775, Empress [[Catherine the Great]] took decisive action to eliminate what she perceived as a potential threat to her centralized rule. The Zaporozhian Sich, with its semi-autonomous status and militarized society, stood as a symbol of independence that clashed with the empire’s drive toward unification. Acting on her orders, General [[Peter Tekeli]] led a massive military force to suppress the Sich. On 15 June 1775, Tekeli’s forces, composed of 45,000 troops—including 8 cavalry regiments, 10 infantry regiments, 20 hussar squadrons, 17 pike squadrons, and 13 squadrons of [[Don Cossacks]]—overwhelmed the Sich. Defended by a mere 3,000 Cossacks, the Sich fell with little resistance. The destruction of the Zaporozhian Sich marked the end of an era, effectively dismantling one of the last vestiges of Ukrainian self-rule.<ref name=Solovyov>{{cite web
 |last       = Solov'yov V
 |title      = Конец Запорожской Сечи
 |publisher  = Кубань, XXI век
 |url        = http://www.kuban-xxi.h1.ru/history/21.shtml
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040712153329/http://kuban-xxi.h1.ru/history/21.shtml
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = 12 July 2004
 |access-date = 1 October 2008
}}</ref>

The last [[Kosh Otaman]], [[Petro Kalnyshevsky]], was arrested and exiled to the [[Solovetsky Islands]] in the far north, where he spent the remainder of his life in harsh conditions, dying in captivity. Following the destruction, a smaller group of Cossacks fled to the lands of the Ottoman Empire, settling beyond the [[Danube]], where they formed the [[Danubian Sich]]. Others relocated to the [[Kuban]] region in the Russian Empire, where they helped establish the [[Kuban Cossacks|Kuban Cossack Host]]. However, the majority of the Ukrainian Cossacks were deported to remote parts of the Russian Empire, including [[Siberia]], in a move that sought to break their power and disperse their population. In addition to the loss of Cossack autonomy, the Russian troops seized over 30,000 documents, along with weapons and other valuables, representing the history of Ukraine from the 16th to the 18th centuries. These items were stored in the [[fortress of St. Elizabeth]], which had been the primary military base of the Russian Imperial Army in Ukraine. These historical artifacts remained in St. Elizabeth’s fortress until they were eventually transferred to Kyiv in 1918, providing valuable insights into the rich history of the Ukrainian Cossacks.<ref>[https://romny-vk.gov.ua/novini-mista/ostanniy-zaporizkiy-koshoviy-kalnish/ ОСТАННІЙ ЗАПОРІЗЬКИЙ КОШОВИЙ КАЛНИШЕВСЬКИЙ ОПИНИВСЯ НА СОЛОВКАХ, БО ЗАВАЖАВ ТВОРИТИ]</ref><ref>[https://m.gazeta.ua/articles/history/_ostannogo-koshovogo-vidpravili-na-solovki/918421 Останнього кошового відправили на Соловки]</ref><ref>[https://www.solovki.ca/ukrainskie_solovki/ovsienko_02.php СОЛОВКИ В ИСТОРИИ УКРАИНЫ]</ref>

[[File:CossackMamay.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cossack Mamay]] and the [[Haidamaka]] hang a Jew by his heels. Ukrainian folk art, 19th century]]
Meanwhile, in right-bank Ukraine, dissatisfaction with Polish rule had been growing for decades. Increased corvée (forced labor) obligations, along with the abuse of power by Polish magnates, nobles, and their [[History of the Jews in Ukraine|Jewish]] stewards, led to widespread unrest. The peasants, many of whom were Orthodox Christians, resented the imposition of taxes and labor on their lands, as well as the presence of Roman Catholic and [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church|Uniate]] clergy. The resulting discontent gave rise to a series of [[Haidamak]] uprisings, in which bands of rebels attacked and looted towns, targeting the estates of nobles, clergy, and Jewish populations. Major uprisings occurred in 1734, 1750, and the largest—known as [[Koliyivschyna]]—took place in 1768. This revolt was a culmination of decades of accumulated grievances, sparked by rumors of impending changes in religious and social policies that threatened the Orthodox community. The rebellion saw widespread attacks across towns and estates, resulting in significant loss of life and property. While the Haidamaks initially achieved some successes, the uprising was ultimately brutally suppressed by Polish forces with the assistance of Russian troops.<ref>[http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?AddButton=pages\H\A\Haidamakauprisings.htm Haidamaka uprisings]</ref>

By the end of the century, Catherine the Great’s policies had reshaped the political landscape of Ukraine. The Cossack's role in defending the borderlands was no longer necessary, as the Russian Empire now controlled the Black Sea and [[Crimea]]. In 1783, the [[Crimean Khanate]] was formally [[Annexation of the Crimean Khanate by the Russian Empire|annexed by Russia]], cementing control over the northern Black Sea region. A few years earlier, in 1778, [[Emigration of Christians from the Crimea (1778)|a mass emigration of Christians from Crimea occurred]], further altering the demographic balance of the region. Finally, in 1793, following the [[Partitions of Poland|Second Partition of Poland]], right-bank Ukraine was officially incorporated into the Russian Empire. By the end of Catherine’s reign, most of Ukraine had fallen under Russian control, bringing an end to the centuries-old struggle for autonomy and leaving the Ukrainian people under the rule of the imperial power.<ref>Orest Subtelny; [https://archive.org/details/ukrainehistory00subt_0 ''Ukraine: A History'']; University of Toronto Press; 2000. {{ISBN|0-8020-8390-0}}. pp. 117–145; 146–148</ref>