Although disputes prior to the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election were present including the speculations regarding accidental shooting down of a Russian airliner by the Ukrainian military and the controversy with the Tuzla Island , relations with Russia under the latter years of Leonid Kuchma improved . In 2002 , the Russian Government participated in financing the construction of the Khmelnytsky and the Rivne nuclear power plants . However , after the Orange Revolution several problems resurfaced including the Russia – Ukraine gas disputes , and Ukraine 's bid to join NATO
accidental shooting down
Siberia Airlines Flight 1812
Russia–Ukraine relations