The Educator Correcting History in a Time of Conflict

As a former history teacher, Vitalii Dribnytsia utilizes platforms like Chatroulette to confront misinformation and engage Russians in discussions about Ukraine's history, aiming to educate both Russians and Ukrainians on the realities of Ukraine's sovereignty.

In the small city of Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, a 59-year-old history teacher named Vitalii Dribnytsia dedicates his afternoons to an unusual mission. Settling into a vibrant cafe, he opens his laptop and connects to Chatroulette, a platform that pairs random users globally. His objective? To teach Russians - citizens of a country currently at war with Ukraine - about the true history of his nation.

In one recent encounter, a middle-aged Russian man appeared on the screen, seemingly in a grocery store. Dribnytsia did not hesitate to initiate the conversation with a challenging question: “Who does Crimea belong to?” referring to the peninsula that Russia controversially annexed in 2014. The response was immediate and confident: “To us.” This set the stage for a spirited discussion covering historical roots, Ukraine’s independence struggles, and the linguistic distinctions between Ukrainian and Russian.

For three years, Dribnytsia has engaged in hundreds of such conversations, relentlessly contesting the Kremlin's narrative that Ukraine's national identity is fabricated and that the nation uniquely belongs to Russia. Every day, he spends hours on Chatroulette, maintaining a calm demeanor while posing sharp questions aimed at debunking common misconceptions held by many Russians: that Ukraine was merely a Soviet creation, that its leaders harbor extremist views, or that its language is simply a Russian dialect.

Many of these candid discussions are documented and shared on his YouTube channel, “Vox Veritatis,” which translates to “The Voice of the Truth.” With nearly half a million subscribers, his videos have gained significant traction among Ukrainians seeking to better understand their own history and fortify their arguments advocating for their sovereignty.

Dribnytsia’s educational efforts not only strive to enlighten those on the other side of the conflict but also aim to resonate with his fellow Ukrainians, fostering a deeper appreciation for their heritage and identity amid war.