Ukraine Renames Streets Linked to Russia and the Soviet Era
In Kiev, the decision to rename streets has focused on shedding associations with Soviet and imperial Russian figures. One example involves a street that was named after Soviet colonel Stepan Shutov, a participant in the Civil War and the Great Patriotic War. The change was reported as part of the city government’s announcements and reflects an ongoing effort to realign street names with local history and contemporary identity.
Today the same street is known as Grushetskaya, drawing its new name from the historical Grushka district. This shift illustrates how local administrators translate historical memory into present urban markings, creating a map of the city that emphasizes regional history over distant empires.
The changes began in 2015 when Ukraine started removing monuments and renaming streets that commemorate Russian or Soviet symbolism. The process has touched a broad range of figures, including Empress Catherine II, military leader Alexander Suvorov, and poet Alexander Pushkin, among others, as authorities reassessed public symbols in light of evolving national narratives.
Earlier actions in other Ukrainian cities mirrored the Kiev approach. In Zaporozhye, streets with ties to Russia and Belarus were renamed under the oversight of the central government. These shifts, while sometimes controversial, are part of a wider program to reflect Ukraine’s current political and cultural orientation in the public realm.
In March, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko announced the plan to rename 16 additional streets, lanes, avenues, and boulevards whose names are connected to Russia. The announcement underscored the city’s ongoing commitment to updating the urban landscape to reflect contemporary values and historical perspectives that are more aligned with Ukrainian identity.
The renaming initiatives have drawn attention to how public spaces encode collective memory. Supporters argue that updating street names helps communities move away from symbols associated with past regimes and present-day conflicts. Critics caution that rapid changes can create confusion for residents and visitors and may require adjustments in navigation, signage, and local administration. In many cases, local authorities provide public information campaigns, signage replacements, and community forums to explain the rationale and process behind these decisions. Attribution: city government briefings and local governance records.
As Ukraine continues to redefine its urban landscapes, street naming remains a visible and ongoing conversation about history, identity, and national direction. Municipal authorities emphasize that these changes aim to better reflect local heritage, support civic education, and reinforce the values that shape daily life in Ukrainian cities. Attribution: municipal statements and regional planning documents.