Over 650 complaints in a quarter: where the language law is most frequently violated
3 April 19:39
In the first quarter of 2026, citizens filed 659 complaints regarding violations of language legislation with the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Olena Ivanovska.
This was reported by the Secretariat of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Most of the complaints concerned websites, the service sector, and outdoor advertising.
What are the most common complaints?
According to the Secretariat of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, the largest number of complaints concerned online resources.
Main categories of complaints:
- 168 complaints (26%) — websites:
- lack of a Ukrainian version of the website;
- pages automatically opening in a non-state language.
- 103 complaints (17%) — customer service in the service sector.
- 92 complaints (14%) — outdoor advertising, signs, and announcements.
- 52 complaints (8%) — violations in the education sector.
- 48 complaints (7%) — product information and price tags.
- 45 complaints (7%) — media activities.
- 36 complaints (6%) — government operations.
- 33 complaints (5%) — the cultural sector.
Where do most complaints come from
The highest number of complaints was recorded in major regions and cities.
Leaders by number of complaints:
- Kyiv — 238 complaints (36%);
- Odesa region — 116 complaints (18%);
- Kharkiv Oblast — 91 complaints (14%);
- Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — 61 complaints (9%).
Comparison with last year
The number of complaints remains roughly the same as last year.
- 2026 (Q1) — 659 complaints
- 2025 (Q1) — 646 complaints
These involve violations of the Law “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language.”
Possible increase in penalties
Commissioner Olena Ivanovska has appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with a proposal to increase administrative fines for violations of language legislation.
To this end, it is proposed to amend the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.
According to the language ombudsman, stricter penalties could improve compliance with the law in the service sector, the media, and public spaces.
