Language Ombudsman Receives 659 Complaints in Q1 2026

In the first quarter of 2026, the Ukrainian Language Ombudsman, Olena Ivanovska, reported receiving 659 complaints from citizens concerning violations of language legislation. According to information provided by the Secretariat, 36% of these complaints came from Kyiv, indicating the pressing nature of language issues in Ukraine's capital.

Comparing this data to the first quarter of 2025, when 646 complaints were recorded, the number of inquiries in 2026 has increased by 13. This rise reflects a growing civic engagement regarding adherence to language laws, particularly the 'Law on the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language.'

Among the primary reasons citizens reached out to the Language Ombudsman, violations related to online representations were most frequently noted. Specifically, 168 complaints (26% of the total) concerned the complete or partial absence of a Ukrainian version of websites, as well as automatic loading of versions in non-state languages. This issue remains critically important, as the Ukrainian language must be prioritized in all areas of information services.

Additionally, 103 complaints (17%) were related to service provision, particularly direct customer service in the Ukrainian language. This suggests a need for improving language competency among employees in the service sector. Furthermore, 92 complaints (14%) pertained to external advertising and general informational materials, such as announcements and signage, which also require attention from the relevant authorities.

Moreover, 52 complaints (8%) were recorded in the education sector, indicating issues with the use of the Ukrainian language in educational institutions. Complaints regarding information about goods and services, as well as price tags, generated 48 complaints (7%), while media-related issues accounted for 45 complaints (7%). Additionally, 36 complaints (6%) were directed towards government bodies, and 33 complaints (5%) concerned the cultural sector.

Notably, the highest number of complaints came from Kyiv, with 238 inquiries (36% of the total), showcasing the active engagement of Kyiv residents in protecting the state language. The Odesa region ranked second with 116 complaints (18%), followed by the Kharkiv region with 91 complaints (14%) and the Dnipropetrovsk region with 61 complaints (9%).

It is worth mentioning that in 2024, the Language Ombudsman received 569 inquiries from citizens regarding violations of language law in the first quarter, and in 2025, this figure rose to 646 inquiries. Thus, in 2025, the number of inquiries increased by 26% compared to 2024, indicating a growing public awareness of language legislation issues.