A resonant conflict has erupted in Kryvyi Rih at the intersection of public service, human rights, and the mobilization agenda. At the center of attention is Natalia Yevtushenko, the director of Kindergarten No. 125, who came under fire from local authorities after publicly defending a mobilized father who left his five-year-old child unsupervised.
The incident, which garnered widespread public attention, began with a document check of 34-year-old Kyrylo Bronov. As a result of the actions of the TCC (Territorial Recruitment Center) employees, the man was separated from his family, leaving his daughter in a difficult situation. It was here that the kindergarten director stepped in, taking responsibility for the child and bringing the issue into the public eye.
Timeline of Events: From Document Checks to Demobilization
The key moment occurred on June 29, 2026. Employees of the Pokrovsko-Ternivskyi District TCC and SP (Recruitment and Social Support) conducted an inspection of military registration documents for Kyrylo Bronov. The citizen is the sole de facto guardian of his daughter, Violetta, as the child's mother has been living outside Ukraine for three years.
Video footage published by Natalia Yevtushenko on social media showed the procedural actions taken against the father. The director's reaction was immediate: she temporarily took on the responsibility of ensuring the safety and placement of the five-year-old student. The publicity of the incident played a decisive role in its resolution.
The Ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, Dmytro Lyubynets, quickly intervened in the situation. Thanks to his involvement and a subsequent interagency investigation, Kyrylo Bronov was demobilized and returned home. Now, he faces the task of properly documenting his legal deferment from conscription.
Retaliatory Measures by the Executive Committee: Disciplinary Action
Despite the successful resolution of the situation regarding the child, the kindergarten director faced pressure from the administration. The Executive Committee of the Kryvyi Rih City Council conducted a legal assessment of Natalia Yevtushenko's actions.
The authorities demanded that the head of the preschool institution resign voluntarily. Upon Yevtushenko's refusal, the administration responded by applying disciplinary measures. Specifically, a written explanation was demanded from her, and the amount of her incentive payments (bonuses) was reduced by 40%.
Legal Analysis: Where is the Boundary of Authority?
The situation regarding the punishment of the director has sparked a heated debate within the legal community. On one hand, representatives of the Pokrovsko-Ternivskyi TCC and SP insist that the initial mobilization was legal. According to them, when cross-referencing the documents provided by Bronov (copies of the divorce decree and the determination of the child's place of residence) with the Unified State Register of Court Decisions, technical discrepancies were found, requiring verification.
On the other hand, the Executive Committee's actions in punishing the educator appear questionable. According to Article 147 of the Labor Code of Ukraine (KZot), for a violation of labor discipline, only one of two sanctions may be applied to an employee: a reprimand or dismissal.
Lawyers point out that changes to the structure and size of bonuses or incentive payments must be based on approved regulations on wages and cannot take the form of an arbitrary fine. The reduction of bonuses by 40% is classified by human rights defenders as a likely abuse of official authority by the Executive Committee officials.
While the administration is checking Yevtushenko's compliance with the Law "On Public Service" regarding public statements, the public and experts lean towards the view that no offense is discernible in the director's actions. On the contrary, her actions were dictated by the need to protect the rights of a minor left without guardianship.
