Nearly 660 Complaints Received by Ombudsman This Year Regarding Language Law Violations

This year, the Secretariat of the Language Ombudsman has received nearly 660 complaints concerning violations of the law on the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language, according to a report by Ukrinform.

Among the complaints, 168 were related to internet representations, accounting for 26% of the total. These complaints primarily involved the complete or partial absence of Ukrainian versions of websites and instances where non-state language versions were set as the default. Additionally, 103 complaints, or 17%, were focused on the provision of services, particularly direct customer service interactions. External advertising and information for general awareness, such as announcements and signage, accounted for 92 complaints (14%). The education sector received 52 complaints (8%), while 48 complaints (7%) were related to information about goods and services, including price lists. Media-related issues garnered 45 complaints (7%), and 36 complaints (6%) were directed at government bodies. Cultural matters accounted for 33 complaints (5%).

The highest number of complaints regarding violations of the language legislation came from Kyiv, with 238 complaints, representing 36% of the total. The Odesa region followed with 116 complaints (18%), Kharkiv with 91 (14%), and Dnipropetrovsk with 61 (9%).

The Secretariat noted that during the same period in 2025, there were 646 complaints about violations of the law on the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language. This indicates a growing awareness and reporting of language law violations among the public.

In response to these ongoing issues, the Language Ombudsman, Olena Ivanovska, has reached out to the Cabinet of Ministers with a proposal to initiate an increase in administrative fines for violations of the law on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language. This proposal includes amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, aiming to strengthen the enforcement of the language law.

As the Ukrainian government continues to navigate the complexities of language policy, the rise in complaints underscores the need for effective implementation and compliance with the language law. The Ombudsman's office is committed to addressing these concerns and ensuring that the rights of Ukrainian speakers are protected.

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