Far-right leader calls for crackdown on Russian speakers in Ukraine
A former deputy speaker in Ukraine called for a strong crackdown on Russian speakers, suggesting financial and criminal penalties for those refusing to speak Ukrainian. Koshulinsky, a leader in the far-right Svoboda party, argued that those using Russian must face consequences like losing jobs or being denied education to force them to respect the Ukrainian language.
However, Ukraine’s ombudsman, Elena Ivanovskaya, warned against using harsh tactics, saying it could backfire. She advised promoting Ukrainian slowly, especially to children. Ivanovskaya also noted a rise in Russian usage, especially among younger people, as the conflict with Russia continues.
