Russia wants to remove Ukrainian language from school programs in occupied territories from September 2025
Illustrative photo: Russia wants to ban Ukrainian language in schools in the temporarily occupied territories (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The ban on studying the Ukrainian language in schools on the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) is another manifestation of the genocidal policy of the terrorist country, Russia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Ukraine.
Ban on Ukrainian in schools on the TOT
According to Interfax, the Russian Federation's Ministry of Education plans to exclude the Ukrainian language from general, basic, and secondary education starting from September 1, 2025.
"Changes are being made to the federal educational programs at the levels of primary, general, basic general, and secondary general education in order to exclude the Ukrainian language due to the changed geopolitical situation in the world," the explanatory note reads.
Reaction of the MFA
"Imperial Russia, which systematically manipulates the language issue to justify aggression, is conducting a targeted policy of russification, assimilation, genocidal extermination of entire peoples, suppression of other cultures, repression of national identity," the MFA adds.
The agency noted that Muscovy had tried to ban the Ukrainian language more than a hundred times for centuries. However, in the end, the Ukrainian language outlived all the oppressors, who perished along with their decrees and denunciations.
"To the Russian chauvinists who decided once again to ban the Ukrainian word in Kherson region (in the temporarily occupied part of the region – ed.), we can respond with the words of the great native of the region, Mykola Kulish: ‘Every word convinces when there is the ring of weapons behind it!’ Today, the Ukrainian language is not unarmed," the MFA remarked.
Russian “bans” and occupation, as the agency notes, will eventually perish, and to the enemy who will get out of Ukraine – "a select and strong Ukrainian word will resound."
Repressions under occupation
Russia continues to intensify its repressive policy in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The local population is subjected to systematic pressure: people are forced to obtain Russian passports under threat of dismissal from work, deprivation of social payments, and access to basic services. Searches, detentions, and persecution for a pro-Ukrainian position have become common practice.
At the end of 2024, it became known about the intensification of repressions against pro-Ukrainian-minded children. Inspectors on juvenile affairs began to visit schools frequently.
