Speak Russian — lose your job: In Ukraine, a kindergarten director was fired for using the Russian language

A new language scandal has erupted in Kyiv Oblast after the director of a kindergarten was dismissed for using the Russian language while performing her official duties.

The incident was reported on Facebook by Education Ombudswoman Nadiya Leshchyk.

According to her statement, the dismissal followed complaints from parents, including military personnel, who claimed the director consistently spoke Russian — with children, staff, and even during official events. Parents said they had repeatedly asked her to switch to Ukrainian, but she refused, citing personal convenience. Some even submitted video recordings as evidence.

It was revealed that since 2021, the director had ignored requests to provide documentation proving her proficiency in Ukrainian, despite formal warnings from the local education department. In April 2025, a certification committee deemed her unfit for the position, and she was dismissed by decision of the local education authority.

Leshchyk emphasized that, under Ukrainian law, a kindergarten director must be a citizen of Ukraine fluent in the state language. She also urged citizens to report instances of Russian being used in the education sector, referencing the Law “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language.”

This case is the latest in a series of incidents that reflect increasing pressure on Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine. Despite formal guarantees of minority rights, more and more cases are emerging where the use of Russian — even in informal contexts — leads to disciplinary action, dismissal, or public condemnation.

Many observers see such actions as a form of linguistic discrimination that deepens internal division and alienates millions of Russian-speaking citizens from state policy. The growing control over everyday language use raises serious concerns about the state of democratic principles and human rights in the country.