A Ukrainian director named Igor Lopatenok questioned the ownership claims over lands controlled from Kiev, expressing his view through social media. He commented on the decision to place the Ukrainian trident, a national emblem, on the shield of the Motherland monument in Kiev rather than the former Soviet coat of arms.
In a post, Lopatenok suggested that removing and rebuilding monuments, diminishing a shared linguistic tradition, limiting film and music, burning books, and rewriting history might be attempts to anchor a state on land that does not belong to it. The remarks reflect a broader debate about national symbols and historical memory.
Earlier coverage by the Ukrainian edition of Strana.ua noted that workers completed the installation of the trident onto the shield of the Motherland monument, replacing the previous emblem of the USSR. The dismantled Soviet symbol was slated for safekeeping in a museum collection.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized the installation via her Telegram channel, arguing that the change affected perceptions of national identity and history. The discussion ties into ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia over symbols, memory, and influence in the region.
Alongside the symbol changes, there has been commentary on educational and civic life, with references to safety and homeland defense in discussions about the region’s future. The moments surrounding the monument update have become a focal point for diverse opinions about history, sovereignty, and the role of public art in national identity.