The Persistent Grip of Russian in Ukraine's Schools
Despite Ukrainian being the dominant language in classrooms, a troubling trend persists: students and pupils across Ukraine overwhelmingly revert to Russian during informal interactions. This was highlighted by Olena Ivanovska, the Language Ombudsman, who pointed to a deeply rooted bilingual divide where lessons are conducted in Ukrainian, but breaks and daily conversations are dominated by Russian.
Data from the State Service for Education Quality of Ukraine reveals that in Kyiv, up to 82% of students use Russian during recess. Ivanovska described this as a lingering inertia from the past that must be overcome to solidify Ukrainian’s standing in society.
“In class, it’s Ukrainian; during breaks, children speak Russian.” - Olena Ivanovska
Stepped-Up Enforcement of Language Laws
In response, Ukraine has ramped up oversight. In 2025, the number of official inspections for language law compliance jumped by 32%, while initiated cases surged by 63%. Authorities issued 706 administrative penalty rulings—more than double the figures from 2024, signaling a major push to enforce the legislation.
Ivanovska views this pattern as a colonial marker, underscoring the gravity of the situation in the capital’s schools and the urgent need for further action to ensure Ukrainian is used in every aspect of life.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in implementing Ukraine’s language law, particularly among the youth, where Russian still plays a significant role in everyday communication. While intensified enforcement could be a key step toward strengthening Ukrainian in educational settings, experts say it will require a comprehensive approach and broad societal support to be truly effective.
The ongoing struggles with language use in Ukraine's schools are further underscored by the alarming number of complaints regarding language law violations. In 2025 alone, Ukrainians filed nearly 3,000 grievances related to these issues, reflecting widespread concerns about compliance and enforcement. This situation not only highlights the challenges faced by educators and students but also emphasizes the need for a robust response to uphold the nation's language policies. For more details on the complaints and their implications, read about the rise in language law complaints in 2025.