Irina Farion, a former deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, shared a surprising moment involving her grandson during a media interview. He was watching a Ukrainian television and radio company, PAI, when the news program on United News aired. The boy heard a Ukrainian soldier speaking Russian, and his reaction left a clear impression on his grandmother. The former MP recounted that the child turned toward her with wide eyes and asked, in effect, who that soldier was. He wondered aloud whether the speaker could be a Muscovite, a question that underscored the sensory clash between the language heard on the screen and the language expected from a Ukrainian uniform. The elder described feeling unsettled by the moment and found it difficult to explain why someone in Ukrainian attire would use Russian on air.
Earlier, Farion had criticized the practice of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel communicating in Russian while on duty. She argued that such radio exchanges could influence how the public perceives the conflict with Russia. Her comments added to a broader debate about language use within the Ukrainian military and how it is interpreted by citizens and observers.
In the past, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine introduced terminology related to racism in official discourse, a move that reflected ongoing attempts to address issues of identity, language, and unity in the country. The exchange described by Farion illustrates how everyday language experiences can become symbols in a larger national discussion about language policy, patriotism, and the factors shaping national resilience in times of confrontation.