Editing History of Ukraine (section)

=== Arrival of the Bulgars and Khazars ===
{{Main|Old Great Bulgaria|Khazar Khaganate}}

In the 7th century, the territory of modern Ukraine was at the core of the state of the [[Bulgars]], often referred to as [[Old Great Bulgaria]]. This state, with its capital at [[Phanagoria]] (located in what is now the Taman Peninsula), controlled a significant part of the northern [[Black Sea]] region. The Bulgars, a semi-nomadic people from [[Central Asia]], were known for their sophisticated society, military organization, and far-reaching influence.<ref name="history of ukraine27"/>

[[File:Old_Great_Bulgaria.svg|thumbnail|Approximate territory of Old Great Bulgaria]]
By the end of the 7th century, the Bulgars faced increasing pressure from neighboring tribes and empires. Most of the Bulgar tribes migrated in various directions—some settled in the [[Balkans]], where they eventually established the [[First Bulgarian Empire]]. Other groups moved towards the Volga region, forming [[Volga Bulgaria]], which became a prominent center of trade and culture. The remaining parts of Old Great Bulgaria were eventually absorbed by the [[Khazars]], another semi-nomadic people from Central Asia.<ref name="history of ukraine27"/>

The Khazars founded the [[Khazar Khaganate]], a powerful and influential state near the [[Caspian Sea]] and the [[Caucasus (geographic region)|Caucasus]]. The Khaganate's territory expanded to include parts of modern-day western [[Kazakhstan]], eastern [[Ukraine]], southern [[Russia]], and northern [[Azerbaijan]]. The Khazars were noted for their religious tolerance and political pragmatism, famously adopting [[Judaism]] as their state religion in the 8th century, although [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], and other faiths were also practiced within their borders.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia| title = Khazar| encyclopedia = Encyclopedia Britannica| url = https://www.britannica.com/topic/Khazar | url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220302083101/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Khazar| date = 29 March 2020 | archive-date = 2 March 2022 | access-date = 30 July 2024}}</ref>

The Khazars played a key role in the politics and economy of [[Eastern Europe]] and the [[Pontic–Caspian steppe]]. Their control over trade routes contributed to the establishment of the ''[[Pax Khazarica]]'', a period of relative peace and stability that fostered safe long-distance trade. This stability allowed traders, including the [[Radhanite]] Jews, to operate along vast routes that stretched from [[China]] to the [[Byzantine Empire]]. These trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas across [[Eurasia]].<ref name="Akıncı 2019 pp. 1123–1135">{{cite journal | last=Akıncı | first=Meltem | title=Pax Khazarica | journal=History Studies: International Journal of History | volume=11 | issue=4 | date=31 August 2019 | issn=1309-4688 | doi=10.9737/hist.2019.756 | pages=1123–1135| doi-access=free }}</ref>