Writer Demands Sculptor Be Blacklisted by Ukraine's National Railway Company

Incident Involving Sculptor Oleh Pinchuk

According to Главком: Author Tamara Horikha Zernia has formally requested that Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state railway operator, place sculptor Oleh Pinchuk on a passenger blacklist. The call follows an incident where Pinchuk secretly photographed a female passenger on a train and posted the image on social media with a caption widely criticized as objectifying. Pinchuk later edited the post and then deleted it entirely. In her statement, Horikha Zernia described his actions as a "blatant violation of a woman's right to dignity and safety."

"Mr. Pinchuk took a photo of a passenger from the corridor of the train car and posted it from behind with an objectifying caption. For nearly the entire day, Mr. Pinchuk and his supporters publicly commented on the physical features and body of a woman they did not know," the writer said, emphasizing the urgent need to protect women from covert photography inside train compartments.

Ukrzaliznytsia's Response

In response to Horikha Zernia's appeal, Ukrzaliznytsia stated it lacks the legal authority to block Pinchuk from traveling and advised the affected passenger to file a complaint with law enforcement. The company also reminded travelers to report any onboard conflicts directly to the train conductor.

Other Cases

• A passenger on the Odesa-Kyiv route also reported being sexually harassed by a man. This incident highlights the growing concern over women's safety in public transport, sparking public outrage and calls for immediate action.
• A user named Khrystyna shared on the social platform Threads that she woke up to find a stranger touching her chest. These cases underscore the pressing need to enhance safety standards and protect passenger rights on trains.

In response to the controversy, Oleh Pinchuk issued an apology, stating:

"I apologize if I offended anyone with this video! As an artist, I am always interested in shapes and volumes... The caption was not offensive, and the woman's face is not visible." - Oleh Pinchuk.

He also remarked that compartment doors are presumably meant to be closed, not left open all the time.

The Pinchuk incident reflects a broader societal alarm over women's safety in public transportation, fueling public indignation and demands for action. Given the recent spate of harassment cases, it is critical that authorities and transport companies implement necessary measures to protect passengers. This issue requires urgent resolution to ensure safe and comfortable travel for all citizens.

The recent incident involving Oleh Pinchuk is not an isolated case, as concerns about women's safety on public transport have been increasingly highlighted. For example, a similar situation arose on the Odesa-Kyiv train, prompting a police investigation into harassment allegations. These events reflect a growing urgency to address safety issues faced by female passengers. To learn more about this ongoing investigation and its implications, see our detailed coverage regarding harassment on trains.