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“Why words matter” – It’s Kyiv not Kiev!

"Why words matter” - It’s Kyiv not Kiev! Ukraine in Flames #451

Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Kremlin has weaponized everything — and language is no exception. Even 31 years after the Ukrainian independence, the tradition of Soviet naming and transliteration still haunts our country.

Both in the times of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union Russian language was the symbol of power and influence. The tradition of transliteration of Ujraibjab toponyms to Russian also was a marker of colonial influence.

For almost 70 years, the Soviet Union entrenched the Russian way of writing and pronouncing Ukrainian toponyms. During Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, getting rid of this imperial tradition has symbolic meaning since language continues to be one of the instruments of Russian aggression.


UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.

If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.

NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.

How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:

Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc); 

CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);

UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)

Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);

Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);

Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).