People's deputy Yuriy Boyko again found himself in the center of attention, causing a flurry of criticism after his statement about "radicals" who, according to him, rename cities, demolish monuments, forbid speaking in their native language and going to church. His position caused outrage in the Center for Combating Disinformation and the Office of the President.
Yuriy Boyko, head of the "Platform for Life and Peace" parliamentary group, in his video message on TikTok, compared the actions of Ukrainian activists with the events in the United States, when the monuments to Christopher Columbus were demolished.
"It seems that our radicals took the same course and started demolishing monuments, renaming cities, forbidding people to speak their native language, forbidding them to go to the church they want to go to. And today we see that this movement continues, that violence against people continues," said Boyko.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Combating Disinformation at the NSDC, strongly reacted to the People's Deputy's statement.
"It would be very useful if a people's deputy, if he works in the interests of Ukraine, would publicly remind about the protection of our state. However, we see something else. And this is frankly, to put it mildly, infuriating," Kovalenko emphasized.
Andrii Yermak, the head of the President's Office, also commented on the statement, without naming names, but alluding to Boyko.
"Some politicians forget that protecting Ukraine and defeating Russia, and not spreading Russian narratives, is the key goal now," Yermak noted.
Yuriy Boyko is one of the few representatives of the former OPZZH who continue to actively express themselves on the topic of language, religion and historical memory. His statement about "violence against people" echoes the rhetoric often used by Russian propaganda, accusing Ukraine of "oppression".
At the same time, the process of decommunization and de-Russification continues in the country, which is supported by a large part of society. Renaming streets, demolishing Soviet monuments and banning the activities of the UOC MP are part of this course.
Yuri Boyka's rhetoric coincides with Russian narratives that are designed to divide Ukrainian society. At a time when the country is facing Russian aggression, such statements cause particular indignation.
Against the background of the war, the issues of decommunization, language and church acquire not only historical, but also strategic importance. And the statements of politicians who work for division require a clear reaction of the state and society.
