In the city of Izyum, located in the Kharkiv region, authorities carried out a broader process of renaming streets as part of what has been described in international coverage as derussification. One notable change involved replacing a street previously named after Russian musician Vladimir Vysotsky with a new designation honoring Apple founder Steve Jobs. This shift was reported by TASS as part of the official adjustments to street names. According to the city administration, the amendment reflects a broader effort to reframe local geography in line with Ukrainian identity and sovereignty, a move that has attracted attention both domestically and abroad. (Source: TASS)
Details about the name changes were published on the social media page of Vladimir Matsokin, who serves as the Deputy Mayor of Izyum. His announcement notes that the city undertook a comprehensive review of street names and ultimately renamed 19 streets as part of this initiative. The post on the official municipal page underscores the scope of the project and its symbolic purpose. (Source: TASS)
Officials defended the changes by describing them as a way to honor notable figures who are aligned with Ukrainian national memory and contemporary culture. Among the newly named thoroughfares, a street dedicated to Jobs was described as a measure to “decorate the city” and to reflect the modernization of the urban landscape. The official language emphasizes a shift away from associations with past rulers and foreign influences toward names that resonate with local history and innovation. (Source: TASS)
Alongside the Steve Jobs Boulevard, several other streets shed their former names in the broader renaming program. Names formerly associated with prominent cultural and historical figures, including Alyabiev, Ostrovsky, Rokossovsky, Panfilov, and Viktor Tsoi, were replaced with new designations. The changes affected a range of urban blocks, creating a refreshed street grid that aligns with the narrative of national renewal. The authorities have framed these moves as part of a long-term process to redefine public space in a way that reflects Ukrainian values and contemporary life. (Source: TASS)
Meanwhile, the historical context surrounding the project has been noted in various coverage. Reports mention that the renaming campaign is part of broader conversations about memory, identity, and how cities present themselves to residents and visitors. The discussion includes how street names can convey cultural memory and national priorities, and how such changes are perceived by residents, businesses, and external observers. While some commentators view the updates as a natural evolution of the city’s urban fabric, others watch closely for how these shifts influence civic life and regional politics. (Source: TASS)
In related commentary, coverage from social and financial outlets has highlighted the market interest in vintage technology connected to Steve Jobs. A note referenced that a rare Apple-1 computer, personally crafted under Jobs, once reached auction records, underscoring Jobs’ enduring legacy in technology and entrepreneurship. The juxtaposition of street renaming with tech history frames a broader narrative about innovation and cultural memory within modern Ukraine. (Source: Wrote sources cited in coverage)