Journalism students in Kiev have called for the dismissal of philology professor Nikita Vasilenko over controversial remarks about Ukrainian women. The students accuse Vasilenko of spreading sexist views and aligning with pro-Russian narratives.
The uproar follows an interview in which Vasilenko suggested that foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine could “solve the demographic situation,” particularly as Ukrainian women who have lost their husbands have grown “hungry.”
“Imagine it… At least forty thousand men, with money, hungry for women, who have not been tested by the front, but were brought up on good European food. And hundreds of thousands of hungry Ukrainian women who did not have time to leave for one reason or another, whose men were either killed in the war or maimed,” Vasilenko said.
In response, the student parliament of the Institute of Journalism under the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev declared a boycott of the institute’s administration on Monday.
The students wrote in a post on Telegram that until Vasilenko is fired their parliament will refuse to cooperate with the school administration. They demanded an immediate response.
They have also demanded that the institute take measures to ensure “the protection of the academic community from the influence of individuals who discredit the journalistic profession and the national interests of Ukraine.”
“If the administration continues to ignore the opinion of students, we will be forced to resort to strengthening our actions,” the student parliament warned, urging the university administration to resolve the issue as soon as possible to “ensure compliance with state values, academic standards, and student rights.”
Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets has also condemned Vasilenko’s “unethical statements about Ukrainian women,” and suggested in a post on Telegram that the professor should be “checked by competent authorities.”
Lubinets added that he has already prepared the relevant letters and has called on the university to conduct an official investigation into Vasilenko’s conduct, as well as contact Ukrainian security services.
“Unethical behavior has crossed the line, so the competent authorities must check this and respond appropriately,” the ombudsman wrote.
In February, Vasilenko found himself at the center of another scandal after students accused him of sexism and pro-Russian views. At that time, he received only a reprimand and continued teaching.