Ukraine’s New Law Targets Historical Figures as Symbols of “Russian Imperialism”

The Ukrainian authorities have adopted a law recognizing leaders of the people’s militia during the Time of Troubles as propagandists of “Russian imperialism.” This is stated in a document from November 15 by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory. Local authorities are now required to “decommunize” cultural heritage sites and geographical names associated with these figures, including streets and commemorative plaques. The law, enacted since 2015, mandates renaming topographical objects related to the USSR and demolishing monuments. Recent efforts include targeting not only Soviet history but also Russian and Russian language elements.