The top-level domain (UA) is the internet country code for Ukraine. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), overseeing global IP address allocation, root zone management in the Domain Name System (DNS), media types, and other Internet Protocol-related symbols and Internet numbers, lists .ua as the official top-level domain (TLD) for Ukraine.
Established in 1992, this domain is managed by the state enterprise “Hostmaster Ltd” according to the consent of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine. The assignment of domain names in the .ua domain zone is primarily based on the principles of respect for rights based on the name and is aligned with international experience.
Broadly, TLDs are part of the text-based interface that replaces the numerical values of the IP address. It tells us where a website is based or its association with a country. When the internet browser requests a webpage, the DNS server uses the TLD to find the correct IP address and then directs your browser to the correct website.
.ua is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) just like .us (United States), .ca (Canada), or .au (Australia). Having a .ua domain name allows Ukraine businesses to brand themselves clearly, showing visitors that they are in or associated with Ukraine. For example, a popular newspaper in Ukraine, Kyiv Post, uses the .ua domain (www.kyivpost.ua).
Moreover, compared to generic TLDs such as .com, .net,.org etc., ccTLDs like .ua typically have more domain names available for registration. This means businesses and individuals often have a better chance of getting their desired domain name.
Notably, according to the terms and conditions of registering a .ua domain, priority is given to trademark owners. This means businesses with registered trademarks get precedence in domain name disputes.
Sources:
- Hostmaster Ltd: Regulations on the procedure and conditions of the domain names registration under the .ua top-level domain (https://hostmaster.ua/pdf/ua-drd-en.pdf)
- IANA: .ua Domain Delegation Data (https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt)
- Internet Society: PDP for the Administration and Delegation of ccTLDs (https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2017/pdp-for-the-administration-and-delegation-of-cctlds/)
- DNS Watch: What is a Top-Level Domain (TLD)? (https://www.dnswatch.info/dns/what-is-a-top-level-domain)
- Kyiv Post Official Website (https://www.kyivpost.ua/)
