Definition of the concept of “Ukrainophobia”
What constitutes “Ukrainophobia” under draft law No. 15186 of 04/22/2026 .
According to the new amendments to Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, manifestations of “ Ukrainophobia” should be understood as: intentional actions aimed at inciting national enmity and hatred, humiliation of national honor and dignity, as well as public denial of the right of the Ukrainian nation to self-determination, sovereignty and statehood, expressed, in particular:
– in public appeals (including using the media, in literary or artistic works, etc.) to deny the subjectivity of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian nation;
– in justifying the subjugation, exploitation or assimilation of the Ukrainian people, as well as denying the legitimacy of the struggle for independence, protection of the political, economic, cultural rights of the Ukrainian people, development of Ukrainian Statehood, science, culture;
– in public contempt for specific ethno-cultural features, discrediting the Ukrainian language and culture with the aim of undermining national identity.
In simple words, a new topic “ Ukrainophobia ”, which establishes criminal liability under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, for such actions as: denial of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian nation, the economic or cultural rights of the Ukrainian people, and public calls to discredit the Ukrainian language and culture .
Justification of the need to accept criminal liability for “Ukrainophobia”
The adoption of this bill contributes to the protection of Ukraine in the information sphere, and a clear criminal-legal assessment of Ukrainophobic manifestations will prevent the radicalization of society towards individuals who spread Ukrainophobia in various forms.
The need to adopt this bill is also due to critical challenges to Ukraine’s national security in the context of ongoing armed aggression and the intensification of information and psychological operations aimed at destroying Ukrainian identity.
Although the current version of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which is still in effect today, includes as a criminal offense such actions as “national enmity” and “humiliation of national honor and dignity,” this does not fully cover the specific phenomenon of Ukrainophobia.
The term “Ukrainophobia”, enshrined in paragraph 6 of Article 2 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Condemnation and Prohibition of the Propaganda of Russian Imperial Policy in Ukraine and the Decolonization of Toponymy” , is
broader than the elements of a criminal offense established by the current wording of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. As a result, this complicates the implementation of the preventive role of criminal law as a means of encouraging subjects under the jurisdiction of Ukraine to refrain from committing actions that are defined as Ukrainophobia by current legislation.
In the context of hybrid warfare, Ukrainophobia is used as a tool to dehumanize Ukrainians and justify aggression by the Russian Federation. Public denial of the historical struggle for independence, the leveling of ethno-cultural features, and the discrediting of the state language are one of the key ways to undermine the constitutional order from within the country and are aimed at splitting society and discriminating against Ukrainians in Ukraine, creating the prerequisites for repeated Russification.
The above-mentioned bill is proposed to counter these challenges.
Purpose and objectives of the adoption of the draft law
The purpose of developing the draft law is to create effective legislation that will criminalize Ukrainophobia as one of the methods of hybrid warfare against Ukraine, strengthen the information stability of the state, and ensure legal protection of Ukrainian Statehood, language, and culture as fundamental foundations of the constitutional order.
Specification of criminal liability for actions that deny the legitimacy of protecting the political, economic and cultural rights of the Ukrainian people.
Read also: Free online IQ test with answers (for ages 16–65)
Main provisions of the draft law
The draft law provides for the addition of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine with provisions under which manifestations of Ukrainophobia are recognized as a criminal offense. Additionally, the note defines actions that will constitute a criminal offense and that take into account the signs
established by paragraph 6 of Article 2 of the Law of Ukraine “On the condemnation and prohibition of the propaganda of Russian imperial policy in Ukraine and the decolonization of toponymy.”
Read also: How to register for military service at 17 and get an e-VOD for school in Action or Reserve+
The state of the regulatory framework in this area of legal
regulation
The Constitution of Ukraine , the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms , the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and the Law of Ukraine “On the Condemnation and Prohibition of the Propaganda of Russian Imperial Policy in Ukraine and the Decolonization of Toponymy” apply in this area.
Subscribe to daily legislative news notifications on Viber by clicking on this text!
