Ukraine fines mayor of Kharkov for speaking Russian on official channels

© Provided by News 360 El alcalde de Járkov, Igor Terejov. - VYACHESLAV MADIYEVSKYI / ZUMA PRESS / CONTACTOPHOT

Ukrainian authorities have fined the mayor of Kharkov, Igor Terekhov, nearly 100 euros for speaking Russian on television and managing his social networks in the same language, as he would have violated a law that places Ukrainian as the vehicular language throughout the state, even before the Russian invasion.

The Commission for the Protection of the State Language has noted that Terekhov has been fined an administrative penalty in the amount of 3,400 grivnas (about 93 euros) for the use of "profane language" during his official broadcasts on television, as well as on his Facebook and Telegram profiles.

The sanction will take effect on December 4, 2022, the end of the four weeks Terekhov will have to appeal, and comes after several regional authorities have denounced the mayor of Kharkov for repeatedly addressing citizens in Russian, Ukrinform agency reports.

Such a law dates back to before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As early as May 2021, the head of the Commission for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremin, announced that he would tighten control over the Kharkov administration due to numerous violations in the local assembly by deputies or other public officials when using Russian at parliamentary sessions.

Terekhov has been mayor of Kharkov since November 11, 2021 when he won with just over 50 percent in early elections due to the death from complications arising from the coronavirus of his predecessor, Hennadi Kernes. His party, Kernes Bloc - Successful Kharkov, claims to be opposed to the central government.