PhD Candidate Oksana Khomey Reports Abduction of 5-Month-Old Child; Case Under Investigation in Kyiv Police

The Alleged Abduction of Oksana Khomey's Infant

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: On November 8, 2026, political science PhD candidate Oksana Khomey shared on Facebook that her 5-month-old daughter, Anna Suslo, was taken by her husband, Arkadiy Suslo. Oksana, who holds a master’s degree in European studies, noted that the couple has been separated since September 6, 2026, amid ongoing divorce proceedings. She promptly reported the incident to Kyiv police, where the case was logged under registration number EO № 97149 on the same day.

Details Surrounding the Incident

Authorities recorded evidence of ongoing psychological, financial, and physical abuse, witnessed by a neighbor. Oksana possesses official documents from the Shevchenkivskyi District Guardianship Authority confirming that the child resides with her, along with a certificate from the building’s condominium association verifying the child’s continuous residence with the mother. Meanwhile, Arkadiy denies abducting the child, claiming that Oksana had prevented him from seeing their daughter for two months.

On September 13, 2026, Arkadiy attempted to visit Anna, but police found no proof of violence on his part. The parents agreed to meet at a Kyiv park, accompanied by Arkadiy’s sister and Oksana’s mother. During the outing, Arkadiy and his sister took the child, with a man driving the car. Arkadiy rejects accusations of abduction or involvement of accomplices, stating:

“How could a biological father, married to the mother, kidnap his own child? Ukrainian law doesn’t even recognize such a scenario. I have equal parental rights as she does.” - Arkadiy Suslo

Currently, the child is in Arkadiy Suslo’s custody. He asserts that he is caring for Anna’s well-being and suspects unlawful actions by Oksana. On November 9, 2026, Oksana accused him of trying to "medicate the child excessively and falsify evidence." Arkadiy is employed by EPAM Ukraine, an IT company that has expressed willingness to cooperate fully with law enforcement in this matter.

Legal counsel Olga Mykhalchuk emphasized that, according to Article 141 of the Family Code of Ukraine, both mother and father share equal rights and responsibilities toward their children, regardless of marital status. She stressed that "a father taking the child during a walk and leaving with her does not automatically constitute abduction under the law." The lawyer also highlighted that "the child’s best interests must guide all decisions, rather than parental conflicts."

This child custody dispute has drawn significant attention from both authorities and the public due to its complexity and sensitivity. At present, the question of the child’s permanent residence remains unresolved, as police do not hold jurisdiction to determine custody. Cases like this underscore the challenges in balancing legal rights and prioritizing the welfare of the child.

The ongoing investigation into the alleged abduction of Oksana Khomey's daughter highlights a broader issue of parental rights and child custody disputes in Ukraine. This situation is reminiscent of other troubling cases, such as a recent incident where a man was sentenced to 13 years for sexual assault against his own daughter. Such cases raise important questions about the protection of children and the legal measures in place to address parental misconduct. For more on this disturbing trend, see our report on the conviction of a father for assaulting his minor daughter.