A Ukrainian actress spoke in Russian during an award ceremony and was subsequently insulted by pseudo-patriots

Ukrainian actress Larisa Kadochnikova, renowned for her leading role in the film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”, found herself at the center of a language scandal after speaking in Russian during an award ceremony dedicated to Sergei Parajanov.

The incident occurred when someone in the audience interrupted her speech, shouting, “In Ukrainian, please!” The 87-year-old actress refused to comply.

“I perform in Ukrainian in the Lesya Ukrainka Theater. Excuse me, but I have the right to speak in any language, even in English. Do you hear me? Respect me. I have done a lot for Ukraine. I never left. I am here. I perform plays in Ukrainian,” Kadochnikova responded.

Her remarks were met with applause from the audience.

She added, “We must love and understand one another. Ukraine is one. If we divide and hate each other over trivialities, we will perish.”

It was later revealed that the demand to switch to Ukrainian came from activist Ruslan Koshovenko, whose twin brother Volodymyr was previously photographed making a Nazi salute during a march honoring the SS “Galicia” Division in April 2021. Both brothers were previously part of a “language patrol” initiative.

In his comments about the incident, Koshovenko referred to Kadochnikova as a “Merited Artist of Russia” and used derogatory terms such as “sl**” and “chick.” He expressed surprise that “the entire hall turned against me and applauded her.”

Controversial Ukrainian writer and language activist Larisa Nitsoy sided with Koshovenko, calling Kadochnikova a “Ukrainophobe.” Nitsoy was particularly angered by the audience’s support for Kadochnikova.

“The filmmakers in the hall of the Cinema House shouted ‘bravo’ and applauded her defiance of the Ukrainian language, endorsing a pro-Moscow stance,” Nitsoy stated.