Oleh Kiper, the head of Odesa RMA, and Hennadii Trukhanov, the mayor of Odesa, have no conflicts regarding the renaming of streets in Odesa. They have different opinions and take different positions, but this does not mean there is a conflict. This was reported to UNN by speakers close to the mayor and the head of the Odesa RMA.
Details
The Odesa military regional administration and Oleh Kiper personally are in constant communication with the military, so his position to strengthen Ukrainian identity and break mental ties with Russia is perhaps more drastic and categorical than the mayor's. This also explains Kiper's order to immortalize most of Odesa's streets with the names of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers instead of Soviet Union heroes. In particular, streets named after Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers Yaroslav Bais, Stanislav Uzikov, Borys Eisenberg, Ihor Balmagia, and others will appear in Odesa, Kiper's entourage said.
At the same time, Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov sided with Odessans, for whom the cultural, historical, and literary landscape of Odesa has always been important. He stated that the large-scale renaming of streets "resets Odesa to zero." On his Telegram channel, he launched a vote for or against renaming the streets. The votes were split evenly, 50/50.
However, in no way do these actions on the part of the mayor indicate a conflict with Kiper, Trukhanov's entourage also emphasizes.
Well-known cultural figures also joined the debate. Film and television producer Oleksandr Rodnyansky wrote in his post that Odesa is famous for many great names, including Babel, Zhvanetsky, Ilf and Petrov, Kataev, and Gorky.
"Pushkin was the first to write about Odesa in Eugene Onegin," Rodnyansky wrote, emphasizing that Odesa literature and cinema are an integral part of Ukraine's multinational culture.
Rodnyansky's post was commented on by Maxim Galkin, a Russian comedian who condemned Russia for its war against Ukraine and left Russia. He, in turn, supported the Ukrainization of Odesa streets and emphasized the right of Ukrainians to determine their own national guidelines.
"The hearts of Ukrainians are now asking for the poetry of the beautiful Lina Kostenko rather than my favorite Pushkin," Galkin wrote.
Recall
84 streets have been renamed in Odesa. This decision was approved by the head of Odesa RMA, Oleg Kiper.
The purpose of these changes is to break associations with Russian and Soviet history and to strengthen Ukraine's cultural and historical identity. For example, Pushkin Street will become Italian Street, Zhvanetsky Boulevard will be renamed to Naval Forces Boulevard, and Dumskaya Square will be called Exchange Square.
Some streets will be named after famous Ukrainian figures and historical events. Thus, Zhukovsky Street will be renamed Lesya Ukrainka Street, and Babel Street will become Dmytro Ivanov Street.
It is worth noting that in general, the recommendations to the authorities of Odesa region included the renaming of 91 streets. But seven streets remained unchanged. In particular, the street of Leonid Utesov, a Soviet artist who dedicated one of his songs "By the Black Sea" to Odesa. As you know, the song is so beloved by Odessans that it is considered an informal anthem of the city.
At the same time, many street names have indeed lost their relevance. For example, Politkatorzhan, Hradonachalnytska, and Armiyska streets. Many of them will now honor the defenders of Ukraine.
The most controversial were the renaming of Dumskaya Square, Zhvanetsky Boulevard, Babel Street, and Ilf and Petrov Streets.