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Ukraine
Google Maps 'renames Kiev street' after people killed in clashes
The Institustkaya Street is now named after ‘street heroes’.
GOOGLE MAPS APPEARS to have ‘renamed’ a street in Kiev after Ukraine’s ‘heavenly hundred’, who died during recent protests.
The street known as Institutskaya Street is now called ‘Street Heroes hundred of heaven’, which is believed to be in tribute to those who were killed during clashes between opposition supporters and police officers.
The October Palace is located just off the street, and gave it its original name (it was opened as a seminary or ‘institut’ for young ladies).
The street has also been where people chose to commemorate the ‘heavenly hundred’, as Kyiv Post reported.
Interestingly, a look at the street in ‘street view’ mode shows its original name (and the streets prior to the recent clashes):
The change was picked up by RT today, and so far no explanation from Google has been forthcoming.
The Ukrainian capital has seen serious violence and protests over the past number of months, following demonstrations that were the biggest in the country since the Orange Revolution in 2004.
The focus of the protest movement is the question of whether Ukraine will forge closer ties with Russia or the EU.
The initial protests began last November after the Government decided not to sign a pact that would bring it closer to Europe and pull it further from Russia’s influence.
Our explainer details what exactly is going on in the country.
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