Farion language scandal: social media reaction

Iryna Faryon said on air of the programme "Rendezvous with Yanina Sokolova" that she could not call Russian-speaking Ukrainian military personnel, in particular, the soldiers of the assault brigade created based on the Azov volunteer formation, Ukrainians. These statements caused a sharp reaction of the society, reports Socportal.

Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets appealed to the National Police, the SBU and the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting.

The interview with Iryna Farion was published on 6 November. Journalist Yanina Sokolova asked Faryon about fighters from the 3rd Assault Brigade who communicate in Russian, including in combat, and said that it would be unfair to call them supporters of Russia.

I can't call them Ukrainians if they don't speak Ukrainian. So let them call themselves "Russians." Why are they so baffled? They are such big patriots. Show your patriotism. Learn the language of Taras Shevchenko," Farion replied.

The reaction of Ukrainians to the words of Irina Faryon

Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that he appealed to the National Police of Ukraine, the SBU and the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting regarding discrimination.

Lubinets did not name Faryon, but his statement came amid the scandal.

Maxim Zhorin, deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade, wrote on social media that law enforcement agencies should pay attention to Faryon.

Ukrainian MP Yehor Chernev wrote that Farion's actions posed a threat to Ukraine's national security.

With this sacrilege, as far as I am concerned, she has put an equal sign between the occupants and those who sacrifice their lives defending Ukraine," the MP said.

Paramedic Kateryna "Ptashka" Polishchuk, who fought in Mariupol and defended Azovstal, also spoke negatively about Farion's words.

Your position is not pro-Ukrainian and I consider you a project of the Kremlin. You are an enemy promoting poisonous nasty narratives," Ptashka wrote.

An AFU soldier published a video in Tik Tok in which he suggested that Farion should go to fight against the occupiers herself if she does not appreciate the work of the military because they communicate in Russian.

After a wave of comments in social networks, Irina Farion continued to defend her theses in her usual manner.