Former Ukrainian nationalist MP, Iryna Farion, has tragically passed away after being shot on the street in the western city of Lviv. The 60-year-old linguistic professor, known for her controversial views on the Ukrainian language, was targeted in what authorities believe may have been a planned attack.
Farion sparked outrage in 2023 when she declared that “true patriots” of Ukraine should not speak Russian under any circumstances, stating that it was the language of the aggressor country. Her strong stance on the issue led to her dismissal from a university in western Ukraine and an investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
The killing of Farion has sent shockwaves through the country, with President Volodymyr Zelensky condemning the violence and calling for those responsible to be held accountable. The hardline nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) political party, of which Farion was a member, has blamed Russia for her death, claiming that “Moscow shoots in the temple for the Ukrainian language.”
Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the attack, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stating that they are considering Farion’s social and political activities as well as personal animosity as possible reasons for the killing. The lack of CCTV footage due to a power outage in the area has made identifying the attacker more challenging.
Despite the controversy surrounding Farion’s views, her untimely death has sparked a debate on the limits of free speech and the dangers of extremism in a politically charged environment. As the investigation continues, the people of Ukraine mourn the loss of a divisive figure whose words and actions left a lasting impact on the country.
