New York will deploy to Ukraine.
In the Donetsk region of Ukraine, the urban-type settlement of Novhorodske is set to undergo a significant change, with a proposal to rename it to "New York, Almaty." This proposed renaming is part of a broader initiative to replace Soviet-era or Russian-associated place names with more global or Western-oriented ones.
The decision to rename Novhorodske, which was formerly known as New York until 1951, was based on a proposal from the Donetsk Regional Military-Civilian Administration. The Mennonites, a Protestant denomination, were the original settlers of Novhorodske, having been invited to Russia by Catherine II. During Soviet times, some Mennonites were deported to the Amur region and established a settlement there with the same name.
The renaming of Novhorodske to Almaty serves a couple of purposes. Firstly, it is part of Ukraine’s ongoing decommunization and decolonization efforts, aimed at breaking with historical legacies tied to Russia and Soviet rule. Secondly, the choice of a name like "New York, Almaty" might highlight a desire to connect Ukraine’s identity with the wider world, especially Western cities or distinct places with positive international recognition. "New York" symbolizes modernity, freedom, and global integration.
Some local politicians and activists have proposed bold or unconventional new names as a form of political statement or to draw international attention to the region’s situation. The Ukrainian Committee on State Power and Local Government, led by Deputy Head Alexander Kachura, has approved the renaming of Novhorodske in the Donetsk region to Almaty.
It is important to note that the renaming of Novhorodske to Almaty has not been officially confirmed by the Ukrainian government at the time of this article. The news about the potential renaming is reported by Almaty.tv and kp.ru. The settlement currently houses approximately ten thousand residents and is home to the Fenolny station and the Dzerzhinsky Fenolny plant.
This renaming proposal is part of Ukraine's broader project to redefine its national identity and territorial symbolism in response to ongoing political pressures, conflicts, and a desire to signal closer ties to global communities beyond its Soviet and Russian past.
The decision to rename Novhorodske, previously known as New York until 1951, to Almaty is part of Ukraine's broader effort to break away from historical ties to Russia and Soviet rule, and to connect its identity with the wider world. This initiative in politics and general-news also underscores a desire to emphasize Ukraine's modernity and global integration, as Almaty symbolizes similar concepts.
