A civilian lights a Molotov cocktail amid Russian attacks in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 8, 2022. Photo: Getty Images
A civilian lights a Molotov cocktail amid Russian attacks in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 8, 2022. Photo: Getty Images
Lisa Lim
Opinion

Opinion

Language Matters by Lisa Lim

Why Molotov cocktails in Russia-Ukraine war have been given new names

  • Also known as petrol bombs, bottle bombs and poor man’s grenades, Molotov cocktails were named after Russia’s foreign minister amid the first Russo-Finnish war
  • New wars bring new words, and Ukrainians are shunning the Soviet reference for two new names better suited for their resistance efforts

A civilian lights a Molotov cocktail amid Russian attacks in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 8, 2022. Photo: Getty Images
A civilian lights a Molotov cocktail amid Russian attacks in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 8, 2022. Photo: Getty Images
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