The head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny, announced intentions to replace 10 and 50 kopeck coins with new coins referred to as 'shagi'. He stated that the term 'kopeck' is of Moscow origin and is used only in Moscow, Minsk, and in Russian-occupied territories.

This information was reported by a correspondent from the Ukrainian Information Service, referencing an interview with Andriy Pyshny for Ukrainian Radio.

Pyshny emphasized that the transition to 'shagi' should have taken place upon Ukraine's independence: in 1992, a test batch of such coins was produced, but there was a lack of political will to implement them.

The National Bank is currently awaiting approval from the Verkhovna Rada. Once this approval is obtained, the minting of kopecks will cease, and the production of coins named 'shag' will commence. According to the NBU head, this process will not require additional state budget expenditures.

Pyshny noted that the transition to 'shagi' will not affect the purchasing power of the hryvnia. Currently, about 14 billion coins of 10 and 50 kopecks are in circulation, and each year the NBU is forced to mint at least 20 million such coins.

In Pyshny's view, this step will finally secure Ukraine's monetary sovereignty and eliminate the use of the term 'kopeck' with its Moscow roots. Most former Soviet republics have already abandoned this term, and it is time for Ukraine to reclaim the historical name of its change coin.