Russia is erasing Ukrainian language from occupied regions

From the Institute for the Study of War:

"Russian Occupation Update, September 25, 2025

...Russia is escalating its Russification efforts in occupied Ukraine by physically erasing Ukrainian language from public life. Kakhovka occupation head Pavlo Filipchuk reported on September 22 that the Russian occupation administration is replacing signs in Kakhovka and surrounding villages in Kherson Oblast with Russian language signs or signs listing their Soviet-era names.[7] Filipchuk stated that Kherson Oblast occupation head Vladimir Saldo ordered all signs in Ukrainian to be taken down in accordance with the Law on the Protection of the Russian Language.[8] Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the most recent amendment to the Law on the Protection of the Russian Language on June 24, 2025. The amendment requires that starting in March 2026, all consumer-facing text (including shop signs and product descriptions) be in Russian, and the Latin alphabet will be prohibited from appearing in residential complexes’ names.[9] The amendment states that any foreign language words must be accompanied by an equivalent Russian translation in the same size, font, and placement as the foreign text.[10] Russian occupation authorities are using this language law to erase the display of Ukrainian language in occupied areas. Filipchuk stated that both Russian occupation authorities and Ukrainian citizens are responsible for removing Ukrainian signs.[11] ISW has previously reported on Russia’s efforts to erase Ukrainian language from public life by imposing Ukrainian-language education restrictions.[12] Imposing the Russian language in occupied territories of Ukraine is an element of the Kremlin’s broader effort to erase Ukrainian identity, language, and culture through Russification.[13]..."