Ukraine Seeks to Replace ‘Kopiyka’ with ‘Shag’ in De-Russification Efforts
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) is looking to change the name of the country’s smallest currency unit, the kopiyka, to ‘shag’ as part of a larger de-Russification campaign. The move aims to distance Ukraine from its historical ties with Russia.
Under the proposal, minor coins would be referred to as ‘shag,’ a term rooted in Ukrainian history as a Polish-Lithuanian silver coin. This symbolic measure will not impact inflation or increase the amount of cash in circulation, with both the kopiyka and shag coins coexisting.
Since the 2014 Maidan coup, Ukraine has intensified efforts to remove Soviet and Russian influences, extending to name changes, banning Russian arts, and even outlawing the study of the Russian language. Moscow has criticized these actions, stating they violate the rights of native Russian speakers in Ukraine.
The de-Russification drive has been met with opposition, with concerns raised over restrictions on cultural expression and language rights. Despite ongoing tensions, Ukraine continues its push towards linguistic and cultural independence.
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