The streaming giant Netflix triggered an avalanche of criticism after it had called Kyivan Prince Yaroslav the Wise the “warrior ruler of Northern Russia,” announcing on Twitter the release of the second season of its “Vikings: Valhalla” series.
Netflix later deleted the tweet, but sarcastic comments never cease coming.
#Ukrainians around the world are furious these days because of @netflix calling Yaroslav the Wise a "Russian ruler". No wonder, guys! You've insulted 🇺🇦 dignity, because Prince Yaroslav is one of our most popular heroes of medieval 🇺🇦 history! 1/2 pic.twitter.com/W1YzVdI681
— Ukrainian World Congress 🇺🇦 (@UWCongress) November 23, 2022
“Seriously? You think you’ll get out of this by removing a tweet? C’mon, we’re not that stupid. Change your script and apologize,” demands Tamila Heptinh.
“Show me Russia on the map of the timeline you are talking about. Why not Southern Belarus then?” asks Mykola.
Many people posted maps of that time to show that there was no Russia when Yaroslav the Wise ruled over Kyivan Rus. There was also much mockery.
— Шан (@madoggi) November 22, 2022
— Ukrainian Memes Forces (@uamemesforces) November 22, 2022
Others even sent Netflix pictures of two-hryvnya banknotes bearing an image of Yaroslav the Wise as proof.
Generally, people were offended that such a mistake could happen when Russia was raining Rus-Ukraine with missiles, trying to eradicate Ukrainians, take their lands and appropriate their history.
King Yaroslav the wise Ruler of what now? The one that rule Kyiv in 1019-1054 when russia wasn’t a thing? (Because it was named Russia in 15th century and Moscow was founded in 1147) while russia erases Ukraine with bombs you erase the historical accuracy. Here’s our currency btw pic.twitter.com/QmMWdSSqnB
— Гіль🔪 (@i_gil_) November 22, 2022