- December 18, 2025
- 1:20 pm
- Ukraine
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported on December 18, 2025, in the first reading a bill to rename the small coin “kopeck” to “shag”. The document was voted for by 264 people’s deputies. The decision became not just technical, but symbolic — with historical and political undertones.
The final point has not yet been set, but the direction is already clear.
What exactly the parliament supported
The bill in question changes the official name of one hundredth of a hryvnia. The profile committee recommended adopting the document immediately as a basis and in general, but this proposal was rejected. On the initiative of People’s Deputy Dmytro Razumkov, the parliament decided to return to the consideration of the issue on December 27 to adopt the law finally.
Thus, the first reading has been passed, the second is already scheduled.
Why exactly “shag”
The explanatory note states: renaming the “kopeck” to the historically justified Ukrainian name “shag” should complete the monetary reform started back in 1996 and restore national traditions in monetary circulation.
The word “kopeck” has Moscow origins and is associated with the monetary system of the 16th century, where the name came from the image of a horseman with a spear. This coin was an element of the ruble zone, which today includes Russia, Belarus, and Transnistria.
The hryvnia, as the authors of the initiative emphasize, historically cannot be divided into a “Moscow” coin.
What will happen to the coins in circulation
The National Bank of Ukraine has foreseen a transition period in advance.
After the introduction of coins with a denomination of 50 shags:
— 50 kopecks will not be withdrawn at once
— old and new coins will circulate in parallel
— no additional costs for disposal will be required
According to the NBU, as of September 1, there were about 1.4 billion coins with a denomination of 50 kopecks in cash circulation. The replacement will be gradual and will not burden the budget.
The costs for minting “shags” are included in the planned operational expenses of the NBU for 2025.
History of the issue
The initiative did not arise suddenly.
Back in September 2024, the National Bank proposed changing the name of the small coin as part of a policy of derussification and restoring historical justice.
On October 1, the bill was officially registered in parliament. Its authors emphasized: even 34 years after independence, Ukrainian legislation retains a symbolic connection to Russia — precisely through the word “kopeck.”
Not just a name
Historians and supporters of the initiative call the vote principled.
“Shag” is not an innovation, but a return to its own monetary tradition. It is not about the value of the metal, but about language, symbols, and boundaries of identity.
Financially, the changes are minimal. Symbolically — significant.
If on December 27 the parliament supports the law in the second reading, Ukraine will make another quiet but noticeable step towards the final break with the ruble legacy.
The development of this decision and its practical consequences continue to be monitored by NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.
