Kyiv - The Capital of Ukraine
- Population
- 2,962,180
- Language
- Ukrainian
- Continent
- Europe
- Since
- 1991
- Eco Ranking
- 41/195
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
About Kyiv
Kyiv is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, serving as the capital of Kievan Rus from the 9th to the 13th century, the medieval Slavic state from which both Russia and Ukraine trace their historical origins. The city subsequently passed through Lithuanian, Polish, and Russian imperial control before becoming the capital of the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic in 1917-1920. Kyiv became the capital of independent Ukraine on 24 August 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, in which it had served as capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine; the initial assault included a direct attempt to capture Kyiv and topple the Ukrainian government. Ukrainian forces repelled the attack within weeks, and Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv region by April 2022. The city has since operated under wartime conditions, subject to repeated missile and drone strikes. The city's name, transliterated from Ukrainian as Kyiv rather than the Russian-derived Kiev, was formally adopted in international usage following a 2019 Ukrainian government campaign. Kyiv is the seat of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), the presidency, and the cabinet.
About Ukraine
Ukraine is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has been in an active war. The country applied for EU membership in February 2022 and received candidate status in June 2022. Ukraine's constitution vests executive power jointly in the president and the cabinet of ministers. With a pre-war population of around 44 million, Ukraine was the largest country located entirely within Europe.
View Kyiv on the map
Flight time from Kyiv to other capitals
| City | Distance (km) | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | 1700 | 2h 0m |
| Paris | 2000 | 2h 21m |
| London | 2100 | 2h 28m |
| Abu Dhabi | 3500 | 4h 7m |
| Washington, D.C. | 7800 | 9h 11m |
| Tokyo | 8200 | 9h 39m |
| Singapore | 8700 | 10h 14m |
| Cape Town | 9500 | 11h 11m |
| Buenos Aires | 12800 | 15h 4m |
| Canberra | 14900 | 17h 32m |
Capitals with similar population to Kyiv
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Lisbon | 2,963,929 |
| Kyiv | 2,962,180 |
| Sana'a | 2,961,837 |
| Caracas | 2,935,744 |
| Guatemala City | 2,918,337 |
| Tashkent | 2,906,000 |
| Buenos Aires | 2,890,151 |
Capitals with similar eco ranking to Kyiv
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kyiv become the capital of Ukraine?
Kyiv became the capital of independent Ukraine on 24 August 1991, when Ukraine declared independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. A referendum on 1 December 1991 confirmed independence with over 90 percent support. Kyiv had previously served as the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic within the USSR.
Why is the city spelled Kyiv instead of Kiev?
Kiev is a transliteration from Russian, reflecting the city's name in the Russian language. Kyiv is the transliteration from Ukrainian, the official language of Ukraine. Following a 2019 Ukrainian government campaign and the broader reassertion of Ukrainian national identity, most international governments and media organizations adopted the Ukrainian spelling.
What happened in Kyiv at the start of Russia's 2022 invasion?
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, one of the primary objectives was the rapid capture of Kyiv. Russian armored columns advanced from Belarus toward the city. Ukrainian forces, supported by territorial defense units, halted the advance. By late March 2022, Russia announced a withdrawal from the Kyiv region, framing it as a goodwill gesture while regrouping for offensives in eastern Ukraine.
What was Kievan Rus and what is Kyiv's connection to it?
Kievan Rus was a medieval federation of Slavic principalities centered on Kyiv, existing from roughly the late 9th century until the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. It was one of the largest states in medieval Europe. Both Russia and Ukraine claim historical descent from Kievan Rus, making Kyiv's historical status a point of political as well as historical significance.
Is Kyiv the largest city in Ukraine?
Yes, Kyiv is Ukraine's largest city, with a pre-war population of approximately 2.96 million, rising to over 3.5 million in the metropolitan area. During the 2022 invasion, the population temporarily dropped sharply as residents evacuated; it subsequently partially recovered as the front line moved eastward.
