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Putin Won’t Make the Ukrainian Language Disappear
Sometimes, oppression boosts culture and language.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion, Putin seems to have a principle that doesn’t align with the one most in Europe have: that Ukraine as a distinct entity should not exist. If he could, he would wipe out the entire Ukrainian nation and every trace of it ever existing.
But after over two months of war, it seems increasingly unlikely that Putin will get his wish. Ukraine is resisting militarily, and the country’s inhabitants are anything but willing to become Russians. Still, the regions and towns that have fallen under Kremlin’s control are quickly getting Russified.
This is nothing new. Russia across the centuries has made a real effort to oppress the nations that compose it, eliminating their elites and trying to wipe clean their national symbols.
Including their languages.
It doesn’t always work.
Governor-General Bobrikov’s Memory
My country, Finland, was one of the lucky ones when it comes to Russian or Soviet occupation.
Still, we went through a couple of Russification campaigns in 1899–1905 and 1908–1917 under Zar Nicholas II.
