Cherkasy university lecturer fired due to her daughter's criticism of OCU

Bohdan Khmelnytsky Cherkasy National University. Photo: cdu.edu.ua

Associate professor of the Department of World History and International Relations at Cherkasy National University, Svitlana Halchenko, was dismissed from her job after her daughter posted a video on social media, in which she critically expressed her views on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Her daughter, Yelyzaveta Dibrova, who was a student at the same university, was also expelled. This was reported on the official website of the university.

The university's press service stated: "Yelyzaveta Dibrova was expelled from the 3rd year of full-time study for the Bachelor’s degree in the educational and scientific institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications, specializing in 061 Journalism, major in Advertising and PR in the Media program (on a contract basis) as of 22.08.2024. Svitlana Halchenko, associate professor of the Department of World History and International Relations, was dismissed on August 31, 2024, according to the order dated 27.08.2024, No. 342-k."

The university also stated that the rector had contacted the relevant authorities to investigate the individuals involved for potential crimes under Articles 110, 111-1, and 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, related to the actions and statements made by Yelyzaveta Dibrova.

In the video, which led to the university administration’s decision, Yelyzaveta Dibrova said: "The Ukrainian Church is made up of loners; they have no right to do what they are doing. Their Tomos was essentially bought by Poroshenko." She also claimed, "In a month, there will not be a single church in Ukraine where, when you pray, your words will reach God."

The denunciation on Yelyzaveta was posted on Facebook by Cherkasy activist Denys Haida.

Read also