Ukrainian writer Yurii Andrukhovych says Russia is one empire that never repented

What happened

Ukrainian writer Yurii Andrukhovych told the local English-language outlet New Voice Ukraine on May 26 that Russian culture remains stuck in what he calls “old world” thinking, and characterized Russia as the only empire that has never repented for its imperial legacy.

While Andrukhovych’s comments do not provide new factual information about the conflict on the ground, they offer insight into how some Ukrainian cultural figures interpret the historical and ideological underpinnings of Russia’s actions and self-perception.

This perspective situates Russia’s current conduct in the context of an ongoing imperial mindset rather than a state that has reckoned with or moved beyond imperialism, a narrative often cited in Ukrainian discourse on the war and its broader roots.

Known from the source

• Yurii Andrukhovych is a Ukrainian writer.
• On May 26, he described Russian culture as stuck in “old world” thinking.
• He stated that Russia is the only empire that has never repented for being an empire.
• The source for these statements is New Voice Ukraine, a local English public source.

What remains unclear

New Voice Ukraine, the source of this report, is a local English public source based in Ukraine, and the claim is presented as a direct statement from Andrukhovych, without independent verification or additional evidence in the supplied material.

What remains unclear: Verify the exact quote and context from New Voice Ukraine’s original May 26 article. Check if Andrukhovych’s comments have been independently reported or confirmed elsewhere. Confirm correct attribution to Yurii Andrukhovych for all assertions. Ensure no editorializing beyond the supplied source material.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: New Voice Ukraine. Open the source.