TV Network Labels Kyiv as Russian, Ukraine Seeks Investigation

KYIV, Ukraine — A television network has come under fire after mistakenly labeling the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as part of Russian territory during an Easter broadcast. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry is now calling for an investigation to determine if the labeling was an error or a deliberate political statement.

The incident occurred amid rising tensions as Russia has sought to delegitimize the Ukrainian government, a claim bolstered by President Vladimir Putin‘s assertion in a 2021 essay that Russians and Ukrainians are ‘one people.’ Following its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Russia has also claimed four additional regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—as part of its territory, a move that lacks international recognition.

In a broadcast this past weekend, screenshots surfaced showing a LiveNOW segment that initially reported the location of an Orthodox Easter service correctly at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv before a caption emerged stating, ‘Kyiv, Russia.’ The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has requested that the network rectify the situation if it was genuinely a mistake. The ministry further emphasized the importance of accountability in the media.

The timing of this error coincides with the Orthodox Easter celebrations, which have become politically charged in Ukraine as many churches have moved away from Moscow’s influence. Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has publicly supported Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv would like to see any labeling error corrected to prevent further misinformation.

Around the same time, Putin declared a temporary stop to military operations during the Easter holiday, stating it would last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday until midnight Sunday. However, President Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces continued their attacks despite the supposed truce, claiming Russian actions create a false impression of peace.

Ukrainian military intelligence reported ongoing assaults along the front lines post-Easter, with President Zelenskyy adding that his government aims to protect its sovereignty and respond decisively to any military aggression. He indicated that Ukraine had previously agreed to a proposed U.S. ceasefire deal, but felt that Russia had ignored their initiative.

Following the incidents, there has been a flood of responses from both Ukrainian and Russian officials. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry indicated that accountability on the part of the network is required, with the incident showcasing the delicate interplay of media, politics, and national identity amid the ongoing war.

Western analysts are keeping a close watch on developments, having expressed skepticism about the genuine adherence to any ceasefire agreements laid out by either side. Both sides have exchanged accusations of violations during previously declared ceasefires, which only adds to the complexity of the ongoing conflict.