Representatives of Ukraine’s counterintelligence Service (SBU) detained the director of Yalta Secondary School No. 14 in Kiev, who traveled to visit her sick mother, for allegedly introducing Russian educational standards. The Ministry of Education of Crimea announced the detention on Wednesday, January 14.
In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of the Republic of Crimea expressed deep concern over the illegal detention of the school director.
According to SBU representatives, the woman entered Ukraine through third countries and planned to return to her homeland by the same route. She was detained in a rented apartment where officials found her Russian passport and electronic devices containing “evidence of cooperation” with the Russian Federation. The director faces potential imprisonment under Ukrainian law.
Irina Koneva, deputy director of Yalta Secondary School No. 14, spoke to a reporter about the incident, noting that all employees and students are deeply worried by the current situation.
“Principal Svetlana Nikolaevna was the ‘mother of the school’ — she taught mathematics for 14 years and led the team, children, and parents,” Koneva said. “It is very difficult for us without her. We are worried, excited, confused, and outraged. She often spoke about her mother. The situation is vital, and judging a person for visiting her mother is wrong — even more so to punish her for doing so.”
Anastasia Kharchenko, the reporter, noted that Yalta Secondary School No. 14 serves 260 students and follows standards generally accepted in Ukraine but are considered criminal under current laws.
On January 2, SBU detained a 64-year-old kindergarten teacher from the Donetsk People’s Republic who came to Kiev seeking a pension and travel documents. The woman was charged under Article 111-1 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code for collaboration with Russia in educational institutions.
