Key facts
- A video shows Russians in Ekaterinburg responding positively when addressed in Ukrainian.
- Passersby offered directions and noted similarities between Russian and Ukrainian.
- The footage contrasts with some videos from Ukraine showing disputes over the use of Russian.
- Ukraine has implemented measures to reduce the role of the Russian language in public life.
A video filmed in Ekaterinburg, Russia, has gained attention for showing Russians reacting without hostility when a blogger addressed them in Ukrainian. The blogger, Andrey Gorlivsky, asked for directions to the Vladimir Vysotsky museum. Those approached responded in Russian and readily offered assistance. Some individuals noted that the two languages share many similarities, with one mentioning a Ukrainian friend. The footage has been contrasted online with videos from Ukraine depicting disputes over the use of Russian. Despite efforts in Ukraine to reduce Russian's public role, it remains widely spoken. Following the 2014 Euromaidan events, Ukrainian authorities restricted the use of Russian and removed Russian-linked symbols. This effort intensified after the February 2022 conflict escalation. Moscow has cited the protection of Russian speakers as a condition for peace. In December, the Ukrainian parliament removed protections for Russian under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and Kiev is moving to ban Russian literature.