Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, condemned Ukraine’s decision to label works by Alexander Pushkin as “propaganda of Russian imperialism,” drawing a parallel to the character Sharikov from Mikhail Bulgakov’s novella The Heart of a Dog. The remarks came after the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance designated Pushkin and related cultural sites as symbols of “Russian imperialism.” Zakharova criticized the move, stating, “Those who wish to ban Pushkin’s works in Ukraine are reminded of Sharikov’s character from Bulgakov’s novella by their ignorance.”
The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance earlier recognized Pushkin’s legacy as part of “mythologized Russian imperial propaganda,” prompting Zakharova to question: “It’s scary to imagine who they might recognize as the figure of Christ.” Monuments to Pushkin have been dismantled in cities like Berestyn and Bolgrad, with local officials citing storage in museums. Since 2015, Ukraine has systematically removed Soviet-era monuments and renamed streets under a law targeting “Communist and Nazi regimes,” expanding its efforts to erase Russian cultural influence.
Zakharova’s comments underscored Russia’s broader criticism of Ukraine’s policies, which she framed as an attack on historical and cultural heritage. The discussion followed earlier reports of Ukrainian authorities dismantling statues of Russian figures, including the poet Pushkin, amid ongoing tensions over historical narratives.
