Borders of Ukraine before 1918

by marky48

I was wondering whether Ukraine had distinct borders before 1918 and if it did not, how did the borders during the USSR period were determined

Acritas

I was wondering whether Ukraine had distinct borders before 1918.

It did not. It was a part of Russian Empire. Word "Ukraine" itself wasn't in much use until late 1917. Geographic area was usually called Little Russia = Малороссия.

Ukraine of current borders was split among several governorships - Kharkov, Kiev, Chernigov, Kherson etc. Part of Western Ukraine was included into Polish governorships. And yet another part - in Austria-Hungary (Galicia).

Sources

  1. Map of western governorships of Russian Empire. Map for 1914.

  2. (russian) List of imperial governorships and Cossack areas.