In Lutsk, people protested against renaming the street in honor of the deceased Hero of Ukraine.

In Lutsk, discussions are ongoing regarding the renaming of Svitlyi Street in honor of the fallen military Hero of Ukraine Taras Chayka. However, the residents of this street are opposing this initiative. Lyudmyla Bondarevska, who has lived on Svitlyi for 40 years, reported that the residents of the building gathered 127 signatures against the renaming.

The residents of the street claim that all fallen soldiers are heroes and deserve respect. They wrote a letter to the city council, the department of architecture and urban planning, and all factions asking to retain the old name of the street.

Together with the residents of Svitlyi, the mother of fallen soldier Vitaliy Formanyuk, Raisa Formanyuk, also opposed the renaming. She claims that she does not want to walk down a street named after another fallen fighter. The other residents of the street also agree to keep the old name.

However, on the other hand, some residents of the street support the initiative to rename it. Oleksiy Khabarov, a serviceman who lives on Svitlyi, states that honoring the fallen is a societal obligation. However, he also mentions that the street in our city should be neutral for all residents since every fallen fighter deserves respect.

Svitlyi Street has a history spanning over a hundred years. During this Time, its name has changed several times. Historian Oleksandr Kotyis explains that it was initially named Svitna due to the construction of a power plant on this street. Later, it was renamed Elektrichna during the German occupation, and then to Yunykh Lenintsiv during the Soviet period. Since the 90s, the street has been named Svitla.

The mother of Lieutenant Taras Chayka, Alla Chayka, proposed to rename one of the streets in the city in honor of her son, who died in battle. Her proposal is supported by Lutsk City Council member Mykhailo Nakhod. He reports that Svitlyi Street has been proposed to be renamed to the street named after the Hero of Ukraine Taras Chayka. A decision to start the procedure for public discussion has already been made at a city council session.

The mother of Hero of Ukraine Taras Chayka notes that she has not violated any laws by requesting to rename the street. She reminds that there are laws allowing for the renaming of streets and other objects in honor of famous personalities.

Public discussions regarding the renaming of the street are scheduled for May 22. Residents of Lutsk, particularly those living on Svitlyi Street, can send their proposals and comments in writing or online through the Electronic Democracy Platform.