--- title: "Fine up to 5100 hryvnias for a work call: Kyiv university department head held accountable for using Russian" description: "πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ A protocol was drawn up against a university employee in Kyiv for using Russian during a work call. πŸ“ The head of a department at one of the universities was fined up to 5100 hryvnias. The incident occurred during a phone call with an applicant, which was recorded on a dictaphone. βš–οΈ This is part of a large-scale campaign to control language in education before the new academic year. Messenger chats are now also under scrutiny." date: 2026-08-15T10:03:57.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/fine-up-to-5100-hryvnias-for-a-work-call-kyiv-university-department-head-held-accountable-for-using-russian tags: [ukraine, language-law, education, administrative-penalty, kyiv] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Fine up to 5100 hryvnias for a work call: Kyiv university department head held accountable for using Russian ![Blonde woman in an office covering her face with her hand, next to text about a fine for using Russian at work in Kyiv](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/15/shtraf-do-5100-griven-za-rabochiy-sozvon-v-kieve-glavu-otdela-universiteta-privlekli-k-otvetstvennosti-za-russkiy-yazyk/shtraf-do-5100-griven-za-rabochiy-sozvon-v-kieve-glavu-otdela-universiteta-privlekli-k-otvetstvennosti-za-russkiy-yazyk-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - A protocol was drawn up against an employee of a Kyiv university for using the Russian language at the workplace. - The violator faces a fine ranging from 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias. - The incident occurred as part of increased language control in education before the new academic year. A high-profile violation of language legislation in the higher education sector has been recorded in Kyiv. The Secretariat of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language has drawn up an administrative protocol against the head of a structural unit of one of the capital's state universities. The reason was the use of the Russian language during official duties and internal communication. ### Dictaphone recording and the Code of Administrative Offenses The incident occurred during a phone call between the official and a citizen regarding document circulation and the registration of official appeals. During the consultation, the department head switched to Russian and also used it when addressing her colleague in the office at the same time. The woman who called recorded the entire dialogue on a dictaphone and sent the audio file to the office of the language ombudsman. An inspection conducted by a representative of the Commissioner, Ihor Spyrydonov, officially established the fact of the offense. A protocol was drawn up against the official under Part 1 of Article 188-52 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for non-compliance with the requirements of Article 12 of the relevant Law of Ukraine. According to the regulations, the Ukrainian language is the only working language for enterprises and institutions of state ownership. The unit head now faces a fine ranging from 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias. ### Total control before the academic year The case at the capital university became part of a large-scale campaign to cleanse the educational space. In August 2026, the office of the language ombudsman moved to the strictest control measures. Previously, the department headed by Yelena Ivanovska officially equated school and lyceum chats of parents and teachers with the public sphere. [](/en/images/fine-up-to-5100-hryvnias-for-a-work-call-kyiv-university-department-head-held-accountable-for-using-russian-2) From this month, the use of a non-state language in messengers (Viber, Telegram) when discussing the educational process will also result in similar fines of up to 5,100 hryvnias for participants. Previously, teachers in Kyiv were fined for using the Russian language in lessons and showing a fragment of a cartoon. ### Legal consequences and the department's position "The use of the language of the aggressor state while performing official duties in educational institutions, especially higher education, is fundamentally unacceptable," commented Ihor Spyrydonov on the incident, adding that control over internal documentation and the speech of teachers in Kyiv universities will be increased manifold. [](/en/images/fine-up-to-5100-hryvnias-for-a-work-call-kyiv-university-department-head-held-accountable-for-using-russian-3) A repeated violation within a year will entail an automatic fine of up to 8,500 hryvnias or dismissal from state service. The Ombudsman's Office emphasizes that, given the martial law and the start of the new academic year, compliance with language legislation is a priority of state policy. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What fine is threatened for violating the language law in Ukraine? **A:** For violating Article 12 of the Law "On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language," a fine of 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias is provided. In case of a repeated violation, the amount may increase to 8,500 hryvnias. ### Q: What exactly was the university employee punished for? **A:** The employee was punished for using the Russian language during a phone call with an applicant and when addressing a colleague for official purposes. ### Q: Does the law apply to chats in messengers? **A:** Yes, since August 2026, the office of the language ombudsman has equated chats of parents and teachers in messengers with the public sphere, where the use of the Russian language is also prohibited.