Suspilne had to apologise: how Ukrainians reacted to this year's Radio Dictation of National Unity

Radio dictation of national unity 2025. Photo: NV

Today, 27 October, Ukraine traditionally hosted the Radio Dictation of National Unity, an event designed to unite Ukrainians around the world. This year, the author of the text was writer Yevheniia Kuznetsova, and the actress Nataliia Sumska read it out. This time, however, the dictation sparked heated discussions and even forced «Suspilne» to apologise.

NikVesti decided to investigate the reaction of Ukrainians.

It all started when one of the regular participants and winners of the dictation, Khrystyna Hoianiuk, spoke harshly about this year's text and reading speed during the show.

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«In 26 years, this is the first dictation that has taken me by surprise. Firstly, it was not well read. The text itself is stupid. I don't know if Pavlo Vyshebaba, who dictated last year, would have read the text better. At least he used all the punctuation marks at once,» she said.

However, the woman was almost immediately interrupted by the host of the live broadcast.

«Well, words of criticism are also possible in our lives. Judging by her mood, it was the first time... But we'll see. Perhaps, despite the fact that she did not have time, she still wrote without mistakes,» he said.

This situation almost immediately caused a wave of indignation. In response to the criticism, Mykola Chernotytskyi, the chairman of the board of «Public Broadcasting», apologised for the host's actions and assured that the editors would do additional work with him. He also apologised to Ms Khrystyna by phone.

«We value different views and do not hide from criticism. I thank everyone who joined the Radio Dictation of National Unity. We must live!» he wrote.

Social media was not silent either: Ukrainians actively supported Khrystyna Hoianiuk, complained about the fast pace of the dictation and criticised the use of dialectisms in the text.

Reaction to the radio dictation on Suspilne. Photo: screenshot

Reaction to the radio dictation on Suspilne. Photo: screenshot

Reaction of Ukrainians to the national radio dictation in 2025. Photo: screenshots from social network X

Reaction of Ukrainians to the national radio dictation in 2025. Photo: screenshots from social network X

In particular, journalist and chairman of the board of the Institute of World Policy Viktor Shlinchak said that this year he did not finish writing the dictation.

«For the first time in ten years, he quit writing the National Unity dictation because of a reader. Natalia Sumska, at first, started off so fast that I wanted to say Usyk's «Don't push the horses!». And then she just mixed up the sentences — she started with one and ended with the previous one. And I wrote it down on a machine in Sumy Street — twice about «the happiness of those we love» So this time, sorry, without me», he wrote.

Reaction to the radio dictation of national unity. Photo: Threads screenshot

Mykolaiv residents about the 2025 radio dictation. Photo: screenshot from the Facebook page Suspilne. Mykolaiv

However, it is worth noting that there were also positive responses. Host and meteorologist Natalka Didenko shared her joy at participating in the event.

«She wrote. And with her native cameraman Sasha from her native «Espresso» — watch it on air! The text from Evheniia Kuznetsova is beautiful, as is everything Zhenia writes. Especially for the python and cues, thank you!)

I write every year, and every year there are, of course, some comments, this year my hand and pen were flying to read, but I didn't always have time. Fortunately, I managed to do something and I am very happy that despite the strange pace of reading, we were together again, writing and listening together! We have to pet the cats!» — the host shared.

The author of the dictation, Yevhenia Kuznetsova, was humorous about the flurry of reactions.

«The radio dictation really unites...! Now everyone is united by the idea that it was difficult to read and what those words are, and when the text is published, everyone will unite under the slogan «Why the comma is here?» This is a dictation of national unity. You were warned!)» — she joked.

As a reminder, this year's text for the dictation was called «We must live!». It was prepared by the writer Yevheniia Kuznetsova, a PhD in international and intercultural studies, author of the books «Ask Miechka», «Cooking in Sorrow» and «Ladder». The text was read by Ukrainian actress and TV presenter Nataliia Sumska.