Budanov to Pay Fine After Language Violation in Kyiv Suburb

Presidentially appointed Kyrylo Budanov has been found guilty of contravening Ukraine's language statutes during an incident outside a National Guard facility in the Petropavlivska Borshchahivka suburb of Kyiv. State Language Protection Commissioner Olena Ivanovska announced on Nov. 2 that Budanov would be required to pay a statutory fine.

Ivanovska confirmed that an official inquiry had been launched following public reports that Budanov had used Russian while communicating with civilians and law enforcement personnel at the scene. As per the dispatch, "Communication with the subject of the incident has taken place – calmly, without unnecessary pathos, and within the legal framework."

Ivanovska affirmed that the violation had been acknowledged without attempts to justify or provoke defensive responses, and that the prescribed fine would be paid within the stipulated period. The language law stipulates that the offense can entail a fine of Hr. 3,400-6,800 ($75-150). Budanov had breached the law that prohibits the use of the Russian language while carrying out official duties.

The language infringement occurred amidst unrest outside a private residence in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, a village on Kyiv's western outskirts, on the evening of Monday, Nov. 2. The crowd had gathered after unverified claims on social media alleged that armed personnel were unlawfully confining and torturing around 40 mobilized recruits in a basement.

The situation turned violent, with protesters clashing physically with security forces, tear gas being deployed, shots being fired, and damage inflicted on police vehicles. Regional authorities reported that 16 National Guard personnel stationed outside the building had been injured during the unrest. Senior officials, including National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko, Military Ombudswoman Olha Reshetylova, and Budanov, arrived on the scene to de-escalate the standoff and urge civilians to disperse.

Kyiv regional police and National Guard commanders refuted claims of torture, starvation, or fatalities at the property. Pivnenko explained that the building served as an administrative transit and processing point for National Guard personnel before their deployment for formal training. Officials confirmed that those inside included servicemen who had returned following leave without permission (AWOL).

Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi stated that two of the individuals present had deserted their units, while the remaining recruits were scheduled to commence basic military training on Nov. 9. Investigations revealed that the false claims were initially propagated by Valentyna Moloda, who arrived in an out-of-use private ambulance belonging to the defunct clinic Med-Prestige and broadcast the incident live.

Kyiv's Solomianskyi District Court remanded Moloda in custody without bail. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) initiated criminal proceedings for obstructing the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the unauthorized disclosure of military deployment sites, identifying roughly 100 individuals who actively participated in the disturbance.

Simultaneously, the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) launched a criminal probe into suspected abuse of authority by military officials under Part 5 of Article 426-1 of Ukraine's Criminal Code to evaluate conditions at the accommodation site.