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A Russian vodka called Hammer + Sickle will no longer be imported into Alberta after the Ukrainian Canadian Congress raised concerns about its logo.

The rectangular, white bottle features a red hammer and sickle symbol at the top. The label on the back proudly proclaims the drink as a premium Russian vodka.

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Its name and logo raised red flags for the congress and two NDP MLAs with Ukrainian heritage —Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview MLA Deron Bilous and Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood.

The symbol is synonymous with a brutal Russian communist regime, they argued, and should never be allowed on an alcohol product for sale in Alberta.

In an interview with Postmedia, Ukranian Canadian Congress (UCC) Alberta chapter president Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz likened it to “having a swastika on a bottle of cognac.”

“That would never be allowed,” she said.

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The UCC first brought the vodka to the attention of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission early this year.