Pavlo Skoropadskii Petrovich

Early years

The Skoropadsky family dates back to the first half of the 17th century and is related to many Ukrainian noble families, such as the Apostles, Zakrevski, Kochubei, Lyzoguby, Lysenky, Myloradovichi, Polubotky, Razumovsky, Tarnovsky, Markevichy, Tumansky, Myklashevsky, Bezborodky , Bakurynski, Olsufiev and others. Pavlo Skoropadskyi was a descendant of Hetman Ivan Skoropadskyi and other prominent Ukrainian figures.

Pavlo Skoropadskyi was born on May 15, 1873 in the German city of Wiesbaden in the family of an officer of the army of the Russian Empire Peter Skoropadskyi. He spent his childhood in the Trostyanets family estate in Sumy Oblast, where he was raised by his grandfather Ivan Skoropadskyi. The family followed Ukrainian traditions and kept a collection of Ukrainian antiquities.

Pavel began his education at the gymnasium in Starodub, and from 1886 he studied at the Page Corps in St. Petersburg, graduating in 1893. The young officer was appointed to serve in the Cavalry Guard Regiment.

Russo-Japanese War

With the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, Pavlo Skoropadskyi submitted a report on his transfer to the front. He served as part of the 1st Manchurian Army, where he participated in reconnaissance operations and attacks on the enemy's rear. For his merits in the battles against the Japanese, he was awarded the Order of St. Anna of the 3rd degree and the golden award weapon "For bravery". In December 1905, Emperor Nicholas II appointed him his wing adjutant with the rank of colonel.

The First World War

With the beginning of the First World War, Pavlo Skoropadsky went to the front, and already on August 6, 1914, his Cavalry Regiment distinguished itself in the battle near Kraupishken. For his successful actions, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree. Commanded the 1st Brigade of the 1st Guards Cavalry Division, and later the 5th Cavalry Division. In January 1917, he was appointed commander of the 34th Army Corps, which was stationed in Ukraine.

Day of the revolution

Revolutionary events in Petrograd led to the demoralization of the army. In Ukraine, the national revolutionary movement was led by the socialist Central Rada. In May 1917, the All-Ukrainian Military Congress decided to create a Ukrainian national army. Skoropadsky was hostile to socialist ideas, but from July 1917, by order of General Lavr Kornilov, the 34th Corps was Ukrainianized and transformed into the 1st Ukrainian Corps.

After the Bolshevik coup in Petrograd, Pavlo Skoropadskyi recognized the supremacy of the orders of the Central Rada and carried out the orders of the commander of the Ukrainian Front, Colonel-General Dmytro Shcherbachov. In November 1917, he dispersed the enlarged units advancing on Kyiv. However, due to a lack of cooperation with the new military secretary Mykola Porsh and the commander-in-chief of the military forces in Ukraine, Colonel Yury Kapkan, he resigned.

Hetmanate

On April 29, 1918, Pavlo Skoropadskyi was proclaimed Hetman of Ukraine at the All-Ukrainian Congress of Farmers. The Hetman state received international recognition and established diplomatic relations with Germany. Skoropadsky carried out a series of reforms in the field of science, education and culture, creating the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Ukrainian universities, gymnasiums and other cultural institutions.

Emigration

After the abdication of power in December 1918, Pavlo Skoropadsky moved to Berlin, then to Switzerland, and later settled near Berlin. He led the new hetman movement and founded the Ukrainian Scientific Institute at the University of Berlin. During World War II, he tried to rally Ukrainian forces in the diaspora. Died on April 26, 1945 from injuries received during the bombing.

Evaluation of activity

The activity of Pavel Skoropadsky is controversial among historians. Although his government succeeded in stabilizing finances and normalizing trade, the alliance with German forces and the restoration of the old order led to the formation of opposition. At the same time, many contemporaries and historians recognize his contribution to the development of Ukrainian science and culture.