Bibilov Revives Tskhinvali’s Soviet Name

On Monday, the so-called President of occupied Tskhinvali, Anatoly Bibilov, issued a decree to restore the city’s Soviet name 'Stalinir' “during commemoration events,” local media reports.

History has it that between 1934-1961, the city of Tskhinvali honored the name of famous Georgian-born Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. At the time the capital of South Ossetia Oblast, Tskhinvali was called Stalinir.  

The de facto President-signed document claims the name Stalinir will now be used as the city’s second name, along with Tskhinvali, during “republican and city events dedicated to Victory Day (May 9) and the beginning of Great Patriotic War (June 22)”.

By Nini Dakhundaridze

Image source: en.kremlin.ru