The constitution’s draft of the front page.

The First Constitution of the UPR (1917)

The main legal document confirming the existence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) was its Constitution, adopted in December 1917. It outlined the principles of democracy, civil rights and freedoms, as well as goals for building a national economy and social justice. The Constitution also proclaimed the independence of the UPR and guaranteed its territorial integrity.

The Declaration of Independence (1918)

Another key document was the Declaration of Independence of the UPR, adopted on January 22, 1918. It declared Ukraine an independent state with its own army, currency, legislation, and civil liberties.

UPR in Exile (1920–1944)

After the Red Army occupied Ukraine in 1920, the UPR government went into exile in Poland, where it continued to exist until 1944. During this period, several important documents were published to emphasize the continuity of Ukrainian statehood and the fight against Soviet occupation.

One of the most significant texts was the Declaration on the Renewal of the UPR, adopted in 1941. It reaffirmed that the UPR was the legal successor of the Ukrainian state before Soviet occupation. It also declared the Ukrainian people’s right to independence and free development.

The Legacy of the UPR

Although the UPR government ceased to exist in 1944, the national idea survived. Under Soviet rule, Ukraine was formally given a constitution, but in reality, it remained subordinate to Moscow.

Finally, in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine regained its independence. The 1996 Constitution of Ukraine once again confirmed sovereignty, democracy, and civil rights, echoing many of the principles first declared by the UPR.

Symbol of National Self-Determination

Today, the UPR remains a symbol of national independence and the struggle for statehood. Its documents show that the ideas of freedom and democracy in Ukraine were not new, but rather developed and defended for centuries.