Ukrainians in the Russian Federation can mention their identity only in case of its defeat - an expert

The expert stated that it is difficult to talk about the real prospects of practical implementation of the relevant Presidential decree, but it is possible to collect facts and evidence of crimes committed against Ukrainians living in Russian territories.

On January 22, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree in which he instructed the Government to develop a "plan of action to preserve the national identity of Ukrainians in the Russian Federation, in particular on the historically populated lands. " However, those Ukrainians who have been living in Russia now have been denationalized and Russified for a long time.

The Candidate of Historical Sciences, expert of the Ukrainian Institute of the Future Sergey Gromenko in the material of the focus "Historical lands. What happens to the other side of the Russian border" said. "Currently, it is difficult to determine which Ukrainians are referring to the territory of the Russian Federation when it is said about the protection Ukrainian. And too in the Russian Federation it is dangerous now, "he explains.

According to Gromenko, it is difficult to talk about the real prospects for the practical implementation of the relevant decree of Zelensky for Ukrainians in Russia. However, he noted that the only thing that could be about collecting and studying the facts and testimonies of crimes committed against Ukrainians living in the territories of the Russian Federation, historically populated by ethnic Ukrainians, about the policy of forced Russification, political repression and deportation.

Gromenko added that for this purpose the Cabinet of Ministers can establish a Center for Documentation of Crimes of the Russian Federation against Ukrainians living in the territory of the country. "This decree is aimed at fixing crimes against Ukrainians in Russia in a historical context," explains Sergey Gromenko. "It is possible, when a lawsuit will be made to the International Court, on the basis of this decree. with other enslaved peoples of Russia.

" The expert convinces that Ukrainians can only mention national identity in the Russian Federation only in the event of Russia's defeat. According to him, for example, Kuban Cossacks will not declare that they are Ukrainians, but will develop their regional Kuban identity. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the protection of Ukrainians in the Russian Federation. It, in particular, states that Russia has systematically destroy and destroy national identity for centuries.