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ISTM that Russia blew several opportunities to capture Galicia during the 19th century. In addition to the possibility of doing this during the Napoleonic Wars, Russia had opportunities to capture Galicia in 1848-1849, 1866, and 1870. In 1848-1849, Russia could have demanded Galicia as a consolation prize for helping Austria crush the Hungarians--or alternatively supported Hungary back then and taken Galicia for itself. In 1866, Russia could have jumped on Austria together with Prussia and seized Galicia. In 1870, Russia could have attacked Austria when Prussia was busy fighting France.

ISTM that Russia lost several opportunities to acquire Galicia in the 19th century and thus allowed the Ukrainian nationalist movement to develop there. This ultimately culminated in Ukrainian nationalism spreading throughout all of Ukraine and in Ukraine permanently falling out of Russia's orbit. Meanwhile, had Russia captured Galicia in the 19th century, the people of Galicia might have become hardcore Russian nationalists rather than hardcore Ukrainian nationalists.

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