Confronting Nuclear Tyranny: Role of Eco-nationalism in Development of Environmental Movement in Ukraine

In the USSR there has never been a “pure” environmental movement. Dictate of Moscow in decision-making led to the location of a disproportionately large number of the nuclear power stations and industrial enterprises on the territory of Ukraine. Chernobyl accident demonstrated the consequences of this approach and became the symbol of inequality of relations between the member nations in the Soviet Union. Therefore, environmentalism and nationalism in many Soviet Republics had convergence albeit to varying degrees. The purpose of this research is to contribute to the further understanding and interpretation of the concept of eco-nationalism, proposed by J. Dawson. The article demonstrates that the basis for its development in Ukrainian USSR was not only the Chernobyl accident, but also the expansion of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine (what can be considered nuclear tyranny) along with the existence of a large number of industrial enterprises that polluted the environment. The article also explores the role of nationalism in the originating the environmental movement in the republic.