The Ukrainian SSR (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic) was a republic within the former Soviet Union from 1922 until its independence in 1991. It was established after the Russian Revolution and was one of the largest republics in terms of territory and population. The capital city was Kyiv, which played a significant role in the cultural and political life of the region. During its existence, the Ukrainian SSR experienced significant events, including the devastating Holodomor, a man-made famine in the early 1930s that caused millions of deaths. The republic was also a key industrial and agricultural center, contributing to the Soviet economy. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991.