Let’s All Take A Moment To Appreciate @Ukraine
The country that tweets about Warhol, Russia, rainy days, and 'Game of Thrones'
When @Ukraine came on the scene in June, it did so with a series of tweets essentially begging other countries to follow back. Since then, it has varied up its oeuvre, often weirdly.
For months, I’ve been trying to figure out who is behind @Ukraine—without success. The Twitter account doesn’t link to a website or list an email. @Ukraine has not responded to multiple tweeted requests for comment, though it does reply to other people who tweet at it, so obviously this is a deliberate attempt to avoid me. Its DMs are not open, so I cannot slide into them. The government’s website doesn’t mention the account and links to a different Twitter account, nor does the president’s site (though his and his administration’s accounts follow it). The fact that @Ukraine tweets in English makes me think it’s an outward-facing kind of thing, but I couldn’t find any mention of it on Ukraine’s tourism sites.
Yet the account is verified and has been since the day it launched, so there’s almost definitely someone official behind it. And that someone has a…unique…approach to social media. There are some really nice pictures of the Ukrainian countryside, usually with the hashtag #BeautifulUkraine, which are more along the lines of what you’d expect a country’s Twitter account to tweet. But there are also many tweets that are not about Ukraine at all, or seem like someone told someone who told someone who told the Mystery Tweeter what a cool brand’s social media account should look like, and he is trying his very best to make it happen. Also, he hates Russia.
So, on this slow Friday afternoon, I bring you @Ukraine.
Sucking up to other countries, sometimes with GIFs that are either mildly insulting or don’t really make sense:
Hej, @Sweden! Congratulations on your National Day! Just LOVE your flag colours 🇸🇪🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/g3R0w07Fqv
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) June 6, 2016
Bom dia, @Portugal! Have a great celebration today! 🇺🇦🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/zEztjLsA5m — Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) June 10, 2016
.@GREATBritain, hope #Brexit won’t affect our partnership and we’ll remain defending European values! 🇬🇧🇺🇦
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) June 24, 2016
We heard @Lithuania loves basketball & combined its rich history and sports passion. Happy Statehood Day! 👑🏀🎈🇱🇹🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/qm6S31r9tz
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 6, 2016
Trolling Russia (which it refuses to follow back):
.@RussianEmbassy Why don't you check a world map? Bookstore 4 mins away: https://t.co/UN1KkYr4T4 #CrimeaIsUkraine
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) June 28, 2016
After FTA w/ @Canada is signed, I’m looking forward to delicious poutine cafes. Unlike Putin,they’re welcomed here 😉 pic.twitter.com/uQXSIJkK7O
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 11, 2016
.@bellingcat #MH17 probe reveals origins of BUK missile, suspect perpetrators, @mod_russia doctored satellite images https://t.co/x9vjzi5CWU
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 17, 2016
Ivan Mazepa, Ukrainian leader and patron of arts&sciences, was elected Hetman #OTD in 1678
PS @Russia loves him… Not pic.twitter.com/1486ySvqVK— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 25, 2016
Nice try hiding your theft, @Russia. But there will be justice for annexation and people's losses #CrimeaIsUkraine pic.twitter.com/cheSZp29WR
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 28, 2016
Sucking up to “Game of Thrones,” which it really wants to shoot there. This includes throwing Iceland (where winter scenes for the upcoming season are being filmed) under the bus by saying it has great cold winters, you know, just in case a certain show was looking for a better location. “Just sayin’!”:
Hey @GameOfThrones writers, did you get inspiration from Dubno castle in Rivne region? Possible #GOT7 venue? pic.twitter.com/du2ylEYZ2s
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 7, 2016
We have really tough winters to make sure Season 7 is released in time. Just sayin’ #GoT @GameOfThrones https://t.co/Ji3YHOp5yf
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 7, 2016
Ukrainian AN-124 transported Chinese dragon once. Hey @GameOfThrones, do not hesitate to ask for a ride for Drogon 🐉 pic.twitter.com/hYqYy1V2lx — Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) August 10, 2016
@ericlewan @GameOfThrones if you know any other dragon owners, please pass them @AntonovCompany contacts ✈️
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) August 10, 2016
Participating in “#sexy_monday”:
#Erotic Ukrainian modern #art from avant-garde artist Vsevolod Maksymovych. The Kiss (1913) 😘 #sexy_monday pic.twitter.com/5IxzBsXfhu
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) June 22, 2016
Also its #TGIF tweets, which sometimes mention the British band Muse:
Come on, Ukrainians! Just few hours left until #TGIF. Anyone goes to @muse concert? pic.twitter.com/DIvXRlcpUY
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 8, 2016
Your face at the end of the workday. Weekend is coming! #TGIF pic.twitter.com/wbQ4DOWs2P
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) August 5, 2016
Comparing a band that is nothing like Adele or Rihanna to Adele and Rihanna:
No, it’s not @Adele or @Rihanna. Meet Ukrainian band The Erised #UkieBeats🎶 https://t.co/45vnNcdfsB pic.twitter.com/OjcrAySfkN — Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) August 3, 2016
Remembering Andy Warhol, for some reason:
"Everyone needs a fantasy" – Andy Warhol was born #OTD in 1928. Imagination is our greatest power #PopArtLemko pic.twitter.com/UrWdM2MR7L
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) August 6, 2016
Getting emo:
Rainy weather gives you a moment to go deep in your thoughts. A precious gift in these unpredictable times pic.twitter.com/sr6bisSv33
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 21, 2016
???:
#IfSelfiesNeverExisted the great poet & artist Taras Shevchenko would still had to draw himself for hours ✍️ pic.twitter.com/GfqgOUVwPL
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) July 12, 2016
@Ukraine will surely have some great Olympic #content this weekend, so be sure to check it out for yourself.