On January 14, 2026, the Center for Unity and National Resistance platform in Donetsk Oblast, together with the regional administration's department for family, youth, and mass events of national-patriotic education, held another online dialogue on the topic "The Era of Heroic Cossack Campaigns." The event was part of a free training course for the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) on the history of Ukraine.
During the meeting, participants took a detailed look at the legendary hetman Petro Konashevych-Sahaidachny and his role in building the Cossack army. Special attention was paid to the naval campaigns of the Cossacks, who in the early 17th century kept the empires of the time in fear, demonstrating unique combat tactics. A key topic of discussion was the participation of Ukrainian knights in the fateful Battle of Khotyn in 1621, where Cossack resilience saved Europe from Ottoman expansion.
In addition to military aspects, attention was paid to religious life during that period. Participants analyzed the processes of Catholicization and the reasons for the decline of the Orthodox Church, as well as the legal inequality of Greek Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It was emphasized that religious confrontation and restrictions on the rights of Ukrainians intensified social oppression, which ultimately became one of the main factors in the future national liberation struggle.
Studying the era of the heroic campaigns of the Cossacks allows young people not only to prepare themselves well for the NMT, but also to understand the deep roots of Ukrainian resilience. The events analyzed demonstrate that the combination of military valor, fortitude, and the struggle for rights is the historical foundation on which modern Ukraine stands. Such events help young people realize that history is not just a list of dates, but a living experience of victories that inspires a new generation to build a free state.