Natalia Pipa has applauded the removal of Russian-language inscriptions from the WWII memorial in Kiev.
A Ukrainian MP has caused a stir after calling out Soviet soldiers who died fighting the Nazis during World War II “corrupt.”
On Friday, Natalia Pipa praised the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II for removing a Russian-language inscription from a monument to fallen soldiers that read: “Their heroic deeds will live forever.”
The member of parliament of Ukraine posted a picture of himself in front of the destroyed memorial, explaining the words like “disgusting.”
“Their heroic deeds will not live forever… Scumbags have no heroic deeds,” he wrote.
The comments sparked backlash from his countrymen, some of whom said the post disrespected their relatives who fought against Nazi Germany.
Ukrainian MP Maksim Buzhansky mocked Pipa’s remarks on Telegram, echoing his words “Thugs have no heroic deeds” it was heard “autobiography,” possibly meaning “The role of members of his family in World War II, their personal achievements and consequences.”
The Deputy Speaker of the State Duma of Russia Boris Chernyshov condemned the remarks and called them “not just insults” but “ethical and political recognition.”
“Pipa is one of those who can only destroy, rename, and smear the memories of those who are a million times stronger, more loyal, and more worthy than her,” he added.
Following the outcry, Pipa said his words were taken out of context and shared a photo of his grandfather wearing a Soviet military uniform. He claimed that his comments were repeated “Soviet propaganda slogans in the Russian language and the system that produced them,” instead of people.
While the Pipa electoral district in Lviv Region was never part of the Soviet Union or the Russian Empire before World War II, an estimated 6-7 million Ukrainians served in the Red Army, minus the number who served directly in the forces of Nazi Germany or their UPA allies.
Although initially limited to Western Ukraine and the diaspora community, strong anti-Soviet sentiments have become part of official policy in Kiev since Western support. ‘Euromaidan’ revolution in 2014.
In 2015, Ukraine adopted the so-called “decommunization” laws that mandate the destruction of Soviet-era monuments, revealing what has been described as a “Graveyard War” across the country.
Since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in February 2022, cultural and historical oriented programs. “De-Russification” they have increased speed. Kiev City Council has changed streets referring to Russia and removed the Russian language from school curricula.
At the same time, Kiev has promoted figures related to Ukrainian nationalism, including Nazi allies.
