Overview of Appeals to the Language Ombudsman
In 2025, the Ukrainian Language Ombudsman received a total of 2,888 complaints. The highest numbers came from Kyiv (1,117), Odesa Oblast (445), Kharkiv Oblast (374), and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (261). Together, these four regions accounted for 76.1% of all submissions, highlighting where public concern over language rights is most concentrated.
Key Issues and Responses
Nearly half of all complaints—49.4%—targeted the service sector, reflecting strong public demand for Ukrainian to be used in everyday customer interactions. According to Ihor Spiridonov, a representative of the Ombudsman, enforcement remains a critical challenge across advertising, government operations, local governance, and cultural activities.
A notable incident occurred at a Kyiv lyceum, where senior students were found violating Article 21 of Ukraine's law "On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language." This case underscores the ongoing need for stricter oversight of language rules in educational settings and other public institutions.
The work of the Language Ombudsman and her representatives continues to be vital for ensuring the use of Ukrainian in all areas of society.
The rising number of appeals suggests growing public awareness of language regulations, signaling a shift in societal attitudes and stronger support for the Ukrainian language. Given the high proportion of service-sector complaints, language policy issues are likely to remain a focal point for the public, especially in education and government. This trend lays the groundwork for further initiatives aimed at improving Ukrainian language proficiency across all aspects of daily life.
As the situation around language rights in Ukraine continues to evolve, recent events in educational institutions further highlight the challenges faced in enforcing language laws. A notable case involved a teacher in Kyiv who was dismissed for using Russian during classes, raising questions about compliance with national language policies. To explore the details of this investigation and its implications for language use in schools, read more about the incident here.