"Passed on to greet God": the renowned Ukrainian historian has passed away.
On Friday, January 24, the passing of Ukrainian professor and historian Valeriy Stepanov was announced. He dedicated his entire life to teaching at Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohienko National University.
This was reported by one of Stepanov's students, Doctor of Historical Sciences Pavel Hai-Nyzhnyk. He wrote that he was an extraordinary person.
What is known about Valeriy Stepanov
Valeriy Stepanovych Stepanov (born September 18, 1947, in the village of Slobodka-Rikhtovska, now Kamianets-Podilskyi district of Khmelnytskyi region) was a Ukrainian historian, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and professor.
- He was a member of the scientific council of the Ukrainian Historical Journal,
- A distinguished worker of public education in Ukraine (1993),
- A commendation recipient for educational excellence in Ukraine (1998),
- Awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2003),
- Recipient of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine's "For Scientific Achievements" (2006) and "Petro Mohyla" awards (2007).
- Awarded the Order of "For Merits" III degree (2007) and the distinction from the President of Ukraine — "Cross of Ivan Mazepa" (2010).
3 From 1954 to 1965, he studied at Slobodko-Rikhtovska Secondary School. In 1965, he enrolled in the history department of the historical-philological faculty at Kamianets-Podilskyi Pedagogical Institute, graduating with honors in 1969.
After graduating, he worked for a year as a history teacher at Serhiyivka Eight-Year School in the Putyla district of Chernivtsi region (1969-1970). In 1970, by the invitation of the head of the department of universal history, Professor Leonid Kovalenko, and the dean of the historical faculty, Associate Professor Anatoliy Kopylov, he became an assistant in the department of universal history at Kamianets-Podilskyi Pedagogical Institute.
From May 1971 to May 1973, he served in the Soviet Armed Forces (assigned to a missile unit on the outskirts of the Estonian city of Rakvere).
4 After returning from military service in 1973, he resumed his position as an assistant in the department of universal history. In 1977, he became a senior lecturer in the department. In 1980, he defended his candidate dissertation titled "The Anti-Feudal Struggle of the Peasantry and Cossack Lowlands during the Liberation War (1648-1654)." In 1985, he became an associate professor in the department of world history.
In 1992, he was elected to the position of professor (receiving the professor's certificate in 1995). In December 1993, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation based on his collective works on "The Ukrainian State in the Mid-17th Century: Problems of Formation and the Struggle for Independence (1648-1657)."
From 1999 to 2006, he held the position of head of the department of world history at Kamianets-Podilskyi State University. Since 2015, he again headed the department of world history at Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohienko National University.
5 Societal Reaction
"My Teacher, Ukrainian modern Genius, and remarkable Person — Valeriy STEPANOV — has gone to greet God. A great god "Shiva" for all who once passed through the historical faculty of the University in Kamianets-Podilskyi. A massive scientific block has detached itself from the living monolith of Ukrainian science, sacrificing its brilliant research legacy to us temporaries. It is unlikely that we are capable of properly appreciating what He has left us at this time. I had the privilege of being a student of one of the greatest legends. I had the grace of God to become his colleague and, in the autumn of 2024, I still managed to chat (long and about everything) and share a drink with the Legend… Already with the Legend… Thank you for the honor… P.S. Only a ninja can defeat a ninja, said the god-teacher Shiva, challenging seminar opponents like me back then… And some of us went through that intellectual duel, yet still strive to be even a little like Him," the message states.
6 Always Ready to Help and Support
Elena Vonsovich wrote on Facebook that his lectures were not just knowledge transfers, but true art that ignited a thirst for knowledge and creativity in young people's hearts.
"Valeriy Stepanovych was not only an outstanding teacher, but also a very kind and responsive person. Always ready to help, support, and offer wise advice. His warmth and sincerity left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were lucky to know him. The death of Valeriy Stepanovych is a tremendous loss for the entire educational community, for his colleagues, students, and friends. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. The memory of this remarkable person will forever remain in our hearts," the message says.
7 A Fighter for a Free, Democratic, and Sovereign Ukraine
Another of his students, Alexander Matskov, wrote that he was uncompromising on issues of honor and truth, a fighter for a free, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine.
"I owe my knowledge to Valeriy Stepanovych (as do many), which I gained while writing my diploma and candidate works, but most importantly, conversations with him and his guidance shaped me as a person, my civic stance, and approach to life. Always uncompromising on issues of honor and truth, a fighter for a free, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine! Incredibly hardworking and dedicated to scientific work... During our last conversation in early January, he was ordering books on Polish historiography for further research," the message states.
8 Earlier, "Telegraph" reported that on January 20, at the age of 95, the outstanding Ukrainian energy expert and scientist, Hero of Ukraine Semyn Potashnyk, passed away. He had been the head of PJSC "Ukrhydroenergo" for many years.