Kherson Resident Charged for Role in Illegal Russian Educational Institution

Law enforcement officers have exposed a resident of Kherson region who voluntarily agreed to work in an illegal educational institution created by the occupation administration during the occupation.

According to the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office, the woman took the pseudo-prorector's position of "vice-rector for educational activities" at the so-called "Kherson Technical University". This educational institution was illegally established on the basis of a seized Ukrainian university and operated under Russian law.

The investigation found that while holding this position, the suspect was engaged in organizing the educational process in accordance with the standards of the aggressor country, managed the work of the structural units of the institution, approved the admission and transfer of employees, and developed curricula in accordance with Russian requirements.

Law enforcement officers served the woman a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (collaboration). Investigative actions are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of her cooperation with the occupiers.

Recently, the case of a lecturer at one of the local universities in Kherson, who is suspected of collaboration (Part 3 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), was brought to court. In July 2022, she agreed to take up the position of "dean of the faculty of psychology" of a higher education institution created by the occupation authorities. This pseudo-university was registered under Russian laws and operated on the basis of the seized Kherson University under the name "State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of Kherson Region "Kherson State Pedagogical University".

The court also sentenced two pensioners for managing occupation schools in Kherson region. They were convicted of collaboration, but so far in absentia.

In addition, a former lyceum director from the Kakhovka district of Kherson region, who was engaged in propaganda and helped to implement Russian standards in education, will be tried.

Андрій Колісніченко