Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelensky’s top adviser, explained to Radio Free Europe yesterday his plan to wipe out all Russian culture in Crimea. “As soon as we enter, we must eradicate everything Russian in Crimea.” Crimean residents would not be able to read Russian literature or watch Russian movies, let alone speak Russian in public. However, it would be permissible to speak Russian, but only in private. (One might ask former East Germans, among others, about speaking in private.)
Podolyak said that his “very powerful stabilization measures” would be difficult. There would be mass investigations and “legal punishments” for those Crimeans who hold Russian citizenship. (Crimea voted to rejoin Russia nine years ago. There is almost no one in Crimea that is not a Russian citizen.) Podolyak that the Russian identity of Crimea must be expunged: “We’re going to have to break it all down.”