Despite ongoing political and cultural efforts aimed at decolonization and de-Russification of Ukrainian society, a significant number of Ukrainian citizens continue to use the Russian language in everyday and academic communication. This article explores linguistic and sociocultural factors explaining the persistence of Russian-language usage in Ukraine, even as political and emotional opposition to Russia grows. Particular attention is paid to the linguistic complexity of Ukrainian as a factor influencing language choice, as well as the status of Russian as a tool of international communication and scientific discourse.

Language choice in a multilingual society is shaped not only by political ideology but also by pragmatic, sociolinguistic, and psychological factors. Ukraine presents a unique case in which a paradox is observed: despite widespread anti-Russian sentiment caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation, a significant portion of the population continues to actively use Russian in both private and professional settings. This phenomenon requires objective, non-ideological scholarly analysis.

Linguistic Complexity of the Ukrainian Language as a Factor

Ukrainian, like other East Slavic languages, is characterized by a complex morphological system. Specifically:

• the presence of seven grammatical cases, each with multiple declension patterns;
• a wide variety of dialects and regional vernaculars, particularly in central and western Ukraine, which sometimes hinder mutual intelligibility;
• phonetic and orthographic instability across regions;
• ongoing challenges in the standardization of scientific and technical terminology.

These characteristics may create additional cognitive barriers to mastering Ukrainian, especially for individuals raised in a predominantly Russian-speaking environment.

Russian as a Language of International and Academic Communication

Another important consideration is the continued relevance of Russian as a lingua franca across the post-Soviet space. In many contexts, it still fulfills this role:

• Russian remains dominant in scientific literature, particularly in fields such as engineering, medicine, and the humanities;
• It is widely used in international organizations, conferences, and regional forums, especially within the CIS, Baltic countries, and Central Asia;
• Russian-language education provides access to a rich corpus of academic resources, which is vital for students and researchers.

Thus, for many Ukrainians, the use of Russian is driven more by pragmatic convenience than by political loyalty.

. Russian Does Not Belong to Russia: Language De-nationalization

It is important to distinguish between a language as a means of communication and the state it is commonly associated with. Just as English is not exclusively “British” and is spoken across the U.S., Canada, India, Australia, and dozens of other countries, Russian is not the property of the Russian state.

This distinction is crucial in resisting the narrative that equates language with political allegiance. A language is a cultural asset, not a geopolitical tool, and its speakers are not automatically aligned with the policies of the country where the language originated.

Language Restrictions and Double Standards

One of the most controversial aspects of Ukraine’s language policy is the limitation of Russian in public life, education, and media. Yet many observers note that, in private and informal political contexts, even top Ukrainian officials often speak Russian among themselves. This creates a perception of double standards, which undermines public trust in official language initiatives.

Additionally, reports of social pressure on Russian-speaking citizens, including cases where children are stigmatized at school for speaking Russian or listening to Russian-language music, contribute to a sense of alienation. This, in turn, may strengthen resistance and reinforce Russian-language identity as a form of cultural self-defense.

The issue of language choice in Ukraine is far more complex than a simple reflection of political allegiance. Amid sociolinguistic tension, Russian-speaking Ukrainians often find themselves torn between personal identity, pragmatic concerns, and official language requirements. The linguistic difficulty of Ukrainian, the broader academic accessibility of Russian, and the lack of consistent language strategy from the authorities all contribute to the resilience of Russian-language usage, regardless of political sentiment.