That’s because the country rejects its rich history within the USSR in favor of random psychopaths massacring people and selling their countrymen and country to the wolves. What culture is there left to be proud of when you denounce your culture? You either start from scratch, or you desperately delude yourself by appropriating what was already there.

Ukrainian nationalists and liberals will “ACKSHUALLY” when you mention “Soviets” fought against fascism or liberated Auschwitz because “it was Ukrainians who did it.” That’s correct, but they’re desperate to make it a vacuum to create a new narrative. Same with them banning V-Day even though it’s a celebration of ALL soviets defeating fascism and replaced it with some generic bullshit while inviting the US to participate.

[–] T34_69@hexbear.net 33 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

liberated Auschwitz because “it was Ukrainians who did it.”

Seen this before but not sure where this comes from because ~ackshually~ the 322nd rifle division was formed in the Moscow military district and was 90% Russian at its inception. Haven't really looked into the anti-communists' claim though.

[–] 7bicycles@hexbear.net 14 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Rolling with this surely I'd still tear down the historical monuments and replace them for the random psychopath massacrarers?

[–] RyanGosling@hexbear.net 25 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Yes, but my other point is that they appropriate what is already there. You cannot deny that Ukraine was a major contributor to defeating fascism or very industrious or prosperous under the USSR. Not even the pro-west nationalists and fanboys. But they will try to spin it so that it was simply Ukrainians pulling themselves up by the bootstraps in spite of Russian repression instead of a team effort. You know, a union.

Destroying a statue of a mythological persona means completely denying their successful Soviet history which would be pathetic because their modern history is not better. Instead, you leave it to acknowledge your role, then appropriate it to change the narrative to fit your new image. “We were successful, but the ruskies held us down!” It’s essentially nationalist nostalgia and desire for when they mattered and had strength but discarding the ideology that got them that strength.

[–] 7bicycles@hexbear.net 15 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Destroying a statue of a mythological persona means completely denying their successful Soviet history which would be pathetic because their modern history is not better. Instead, you leave it to acknowledge your role, then appropriate it to change the narrative to fit your new image. “We were successful, but the ruskies held us down!” It’s essentially nationalist nostalgia and desire for when they mattered and had strength but discarding the ideology that got them that strength.

I'm not trying to be arguitative but if I claim myself as this grand industrial producing bootstrap nation replacing bits of symbols on our national treasured / hated monument still feels odd

[–] yoink@hexbear.net 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

ever will the human mind astound us with its ability to hold contradictions with conviction

[–] REEEEvolution@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Oh don't worry. They already renamed the street to Babi Yar after one of the instigators of the massacre. Still felt entitled to cry about a russian rocket hitting the site tho.