Russian language teacher in Kherson region sentenced to prison

While some teachers refused to work under the occupation, others voluntarily launched education according to the rules of the aggressor state. In the Kherson region, the court put an end to the case of a woman who not only headed a pseudo-school but also convinced others to believe in the "Russian future."

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Velyka Oleksandrivka District Court.

A resident of Beryslav, who voluntarily agreed to head a pseudo-educational institution created by the invaders during the temporary occupation and organized the educational process according to the standards of the aggressor state, was put in the dock.

As the court found, in the summer of 2022, the woman received an offer from representatives of the occupation administration and agreed to become the director of the so-called school without coercion. After that, she became active: she formed a teaching staff, signed organizational documents, recruited students and actually launched the school according to Russian programs.

Teaching in the Russian language was introduced into the educational process, as well as subjects typical of the Russian educational system. According to the court, the accused not only administered the process, but also personally agitated teachers to join the work, convincing them of the "Russian future" of the occupied region.

Eyewitness testimony was key to the case. They described in detail how the woman was officially introduced as the new director in the assembly hall of the school in Beryslav, in the presence of representatives of the occupation authorities and armed Russian soldiers. The atmosphere, they said, was tense, with statements about the "new government" and the need to switch to other rules of education.

After her appointment, she began visiting teachers' homes, convincing them to return to work. She promised salaries, urged them to support the launch of the school and participate in the recruitment of children. Some teachers refused to cooperate, but she managed to get some of them to work.

Other witnesses confirmed that they had seen her in the city after her appointment - she was acting as a manager, solving organizational issues, contacting employees and coordinating preparations for the start of the educational process. Even those who were not present at the official meeting spoke of personal conversations with her: she spoke openly about the transition to Russian educational standards, recruitment of students and teachers.

As a result, the woman was found guilty of collaboration and sentenced to three years in prison, and banned from holding public office and engaging in educational activities for 15 years.

According to media reports, the person in question is Iryna Rodionova, a former Russian language teacher and deputy director for educational work.

The former investigator from Kherson also found herself on the other side of the law, now suspected of crimes against the state. According to the investigation, the woman not only received a Russian passport, but also systematically promoted pro-Russian narratives and justified the war against Ukraine.

Анна Бальчінос