Russia is attempting to introduce Russian standards of medicine and education into the occupied territories of Ukraine – Ministry of Defence

Diana Krechetova, journalist at Ukrainska Pravda (Zhyttia). 

14 July 2022

Russian forces in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are trying to introduce the medical and educational standards of the Russian Federation.

This was stated by Deputy Minister of Defence Hanna Maliar during a briefing on July 14.

According to Maliar, the invaders are trying to introduce their "rules" before September 1, the start of the new school year.

Maliar added that most teachers and educational institutions under occupation are refusing to cooperate with the enemy.

"We know that most educational institutions that are currently located in the temporarily occupied territories do not agree to the terms of the occupiers and refuse to cooperate", summarises Deputy Minister of Defence, Maliar.

One of the schools destroyed by the Russian invaders. Photo: Fotoreserg/Depositphotos

The pro-Ukrainian position of teachers who do not want to work for the invaders has already created a severe shortage of personnel in educational institutions, says Maliar.

"The Russian occupiers are trying to bring employees from the Crimea, the so-called "DPR" and the Russian Federation to fill the vacancies in the field of education ", she says.

At the same time, the Russian employees intended by the occupying "authorities" to fill these posts are in no hurry to work in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as they are afraid of shelling.

Although many Ukrainian teachers refuse to collaborate, some do cooperate with the enemy.

"Some Ukrainian citizens agreed to cooperate with the occupiers and take positions in so-called "management bodies". But the occupiers, as far as possible, fill these positions with Russian citizens and get rid of Ukrainian collaborators. We know that the process of firing collaborators has begun, particularly in Kherson and Melitopol", Maliar summarises.

As a reminder, teachers who have engaged with Russian propaganda in educational institutions, cooperating with the occupying "authorities" of the occupied territory – those who succumbed to pressure from the invaders and taught children according to the educational program of the aggressor state will fall under the Sanarticles on collaboration in the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Such actions will be interpreted by the law as collaboration and will result in criminal liability including:

• correctional labour for up to two years;
• detention for up to six months;
• imprisonment for up to three years, with the removal of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for ten to fifteen years.