Ukrainian military veteran criticised for 'pink shoes' photo

Ukraine's military has been fighting pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region since April 2014

A photograph of two young men posted by a Ukrainian war veteran has sparked a debate on social media about masculinity and freedom in the country.

The dispute is an example of liberal Ukrainians rejecting a social conservatism that they identify with Russia and the Soviet past.

The photo was shared by Petro Batkivsky, who fought against pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk region.

Commenting on the now deleted post, Batkivsky implied the young men were gay and referred to them as "gopnik," a derogatory term for working class people.

Many Ukrainian social media users have been critical of Mr Batkivsky's mockery, and are debating the implications of the veteran's post.

Much of the criticism refers to Ukraine's military and political history with Russia and the Soviet Union, with one user damning as "Soviet-era savages" those who attacked the young men.

Martin Brest, who also served in the Ukrainian army and currently works for the police, shared the image with a caption stating he dislikes it "when someone asserts themselves at the expense of the weak".

MP Boryslav Bereza criticised Mr Batkivsky for judging those who are different.

He urged people to resist this impulse and remember "when non-conformity and diversity leave, drabness and decay remain".

Meanwhile, journalist Viktoriya Yasynska asserted that "if you fought for life in a free country, you should know that Freedom wears pink trainers".

There is a deep divide between liberal, pro-Western Ukrainians and those - mainly in the east - who want close ties with Russia. Pro-Russian separatists seized large parts of eastern Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014 and skirmishes continue there.

You may also like:

• Anger as TV broadcasts exclude Crimea from Ukraine map

• Russian social media defends air cadets dancing in underwear

• Pro-Putin social media campaign hijacked by critics

While the majority of comments on social media have criticised Mr Batkvisky, some had sympathy for the veteran's point of view.

Facebook user Nikolay Lynnyk wrote that he "can understand the feelings" of Mr Batkyivsky who went "through the hell" of war to defend the young generation, who are turning into "genderless individuals".

However, many people have shared a response to the original post by Anastasiya Nikolayeva, who posted photos of her 15-year-old son who dresses in a similar way to the boys being mocked.

Ms Nikolayeva explains her son is a patriot who supports the army, and chastised Mr Batkivsky for making judgments based on appearance.

She writes: "If there is a need, he will take off his pink trousers and will defend us like you do. This is not about the clothes, but about what's in one's head."

It was not long before the serious debate was punctuated by tongue in cheek responses.

A number of people shared an altered version of the controversial image, showing the young men dressed in khaki, and Mr Batkivsky sporting a bright pink hat and jacket.