Kiev Mandates 25 Ukraine Towns Change Their Soviet-Era Names

http://russia-insider.com/en/ukraine-rename-towns-get-rid-soviet-past/5641

Under a new law, 25 Ukrainian towns named for Soviet-era figures, holidays, or organizations should get a new one within six months

Pervomaisk - Kiev doesn't like your name

KIEV, April 13. (TASS) - A total of 25 Ukrainian towns may regain historic names following the parliament’s ban on the use of Communist symbols, local media reported on Monday.

“In 2009 [Ukrainian] lawmakers proposed doing this and even prepared a list of towns that had to be renamed,” the Novoye Vremya (New Time) newspaper said.

In particular, the Ukrainian government could rename towns named after Soviet and Bolshevik leaders, the newspaper said.

On April 9, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a law condemnding and criminalizing Communist and Nazi regimes and banning their propaganda and public use of their symbols.

Under the law, Ukrainian towns having Soviet-era names should get new ones within six months.