Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, is expected to pay a fine for violating the country’s language legislation after speaking Russian during an incident in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, a suburb of Kyiv. The announcement was made by Ukraine’s State Language Protection Commissioner, Olena Ivanovska.
The incident took place on November 2 in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, near the Ukrainian capital, where a confrontation erupted between civilians and members of Ukraine’s National Guard.
The dispute began after allegations circulated that people were being unlawfully detained inside a building used by military personnel as a temporary deployment facility. Military representatives denied accusations of unlawful conduct.
During the incident, Budanov spoke Russian, prompting a review of whether his actions complied with Ukraine’s state language legislation.
According to Ivanovska, the violation has been acknowledged, and the necessary legal procedures have already been initiated. The language commissioner also confirmed that officials had communicated directly with Budanov regarding the matter.
“What distinguishes a state governed by the rule of law from chaos is that a mistake is documented, acknowledged, and corrected through legal procedures rather than through public lynching on social media,” Ivanovska said.
How much will Budanov have to pay?
Under Ukrainian legislation, officials who violate state language requirements may face fines ranging from 3,400 to 6,800 Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately $75–150).
For repeated violations within one year, the penalty can increase to 11,900 hryvnias (approximately $262).
The exact amount Budanov will be required to pay has not yet been disclosed.
Why can speaking Russian result in a fine in Ukraine?
Ukrainian is the country’s sole official state language under its Constitution. National legislation requires its use in government institutions, including by public officials when performing their official duties.
However, speaking Russian is not prohibited in Ukraine. Citizens are free to use Russian in private conversations and everyday life. Language requirements apply to specific areas of public activity regulated by law.
Language policy has become particularly significant since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian authorities have repeatedly used allegations of discrimination against Russian-speaking populations as part of their justification for military aggression against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government, meanwhile, considers the protection and development of the Ukrainian language an essential element of national identity, cultural independence, and sovereignty.
Language laws also apply to senior government officials
The case has attracted attention because of Budanov’s prominent position within Ukraine’s political leadership.
Previously, he served as the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR). He now leads the Presidential Office, the institution responsible for supporting the work of the Ukrainian president.
The acknowledgment of the language violation highlights that Ukraine’s language legislation also applies to officials at the highest levels of government.
Importantly, the case concerns administrative liability for violating official language requirements, not criminal prosecution for speaking Russian.
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