MILITARY-PATRIOTIC POTENTIAL OF THE OSTROZKY PRINCES’ HERITAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35774/gsip2025.02.060Keywords:
Ostrozky princes, military-patriotic heritage, national identity, moral education, Russian-Ukrainian war, military traditions, Ostroh AcademyAbstract
The article examines the military-patriotic potential of the heritage of the Ostrozky princes in the context of the contemporary Russian–Ukrainian war. The problem statement is обусловлена not only by the need to ensure the state’s defense capability, but also by the strengthening of the spiritual and value-based foundations of Ukrainian society, the formation of a resilient national identity, and the development of military-patriotic education. The topic gains particular relevance under the conditions of hybrid warfare, where, alongside armed confrontation, informational, cultural, and symbolic means of influence are actively employed, emphasizing the significance of historical heritage as a source of legitimization of the contemporary struggle and national consolidation.
The focus of the study is on the activities of Princes Kostiantyn Ivanovych and Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrozky in the fifteenth–seventeenth centuries, which combined defensive, political, and cultural-educational functions. An analysis of historical sources and contemporary research reveals that their military organization, strategic thinking, and defensive practices formed a complex of patriotic potential that contributed to the protection of Ukrainian lands, the formation of moral values, and the consolidation of society. A significant place in the article is devoted to the cultural and educational heritage of the dynasty, particularly the activities of the Ostroh Academy, founded by Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrozky, which ensured the preservation of the Orthodox tradition, the development of national self-awareness, and the foundations of moral and patriotic education.
Special attention is paid to the actualization of the Ostrozky heritage in modern military-patriotic practices, in particular in the activities of the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Kostiantyn Ostrozky. The study explores the historical prerequisites for the formation of the unit and its participation in key operations of the Russian–Ukrainian war, including the defense of Kyiv, the Kharkiv counteroffensive, the battles for Sievierodonetsk, the liberation of Izium, and the prolonged fighting for Bakhmut. The analysis of the brigade’s combat achievements, symbolism, and patriotic-educational practices demonstrates how historical heritage is transformed into a modern military-patriotic discourse, contributing to the formation of moral and psychological resilience of servicemen and the consolidation of society.
The article outlines the potential of the heritage of the Ostrozky princes as a source of national identity, moral education, and symbolic reinforcement of the state’s defense capability. The combination of historical traditions, cultural and educational heritage, and contemporary military-patriotic practices creates an effective mechanism for strengthening patriotism, combat morale, and societal resilience in the face of the current challenges of the Russian–Ukrainian war.
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