Majority Russian-speaking city in Ukraine considers language ban in the arts - BBC News

Ukraine's third-biggest city Odesa decides this week whether to ban Russian-language content in music and literature in public.

Image source, Global Images Ukraine via Getty ImagesImage caption, These young activists hold up signs saying the Russian language should remain in Russia

Ukraine's third-biggest city Odesa will decide this week whether to back a controversial plan to ban the Russian language in the arts.

The proposal being considered by councillors in Odesa on the Black Sea coast aims to add to existing restrictions on Russian imposed by national legislation.

It is particularly significant because Odesa is overwhelmingly Russian-speaking, although the ban would only affect public spaces and everyday usage of Russian would remain unaffected.

For millions of Ukrainians, Russian is their first language including many of the troops defending the country in its war with Russia. But Ukrainian is the only state language and spoken by the majority, and some see Russian as a tool of Russian influence.