University faces unprecedented, foully organized raiding attempt - KNU Rector Buhrov
Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) Volodymyr Buhrov believes that upcoming elections will demonstrate whether the university community trusts him.
"Every KNU student interested in holding a protest was able to exercise their right amidst an active educational process. There were no restrictions from the University administration. I personally spoke publicly with students in the Red Building, where anyone interested could ask questions or offer evaluations. At the same time, it is personally upsetting to me when sincere youthful passion turns into unethical behavior. It is a pity that organized information attacks, unsubstantiated manipulations, and fakes posted on anonymous Telegram channels become the subject of student protest, to the delight of the University’s outright enemies," Buhrov wrote on Facebook.
He also claims that "the University is currently facing an unprecedented challenge—a foully organized raiding attempt."
Buhrov further stated that the elections scheduled for May will show whether the university community trusts him.
"Presumably, this is what they fear, attempting at the end of a five-year term to groundlessly remove me either through the courts, through organized spam to state institutions, or simply to break me psychologically," he wrote.
In turn, the University Student Parliament stated following the protest and dialogue with the rector that he directly refused to satisfy the students’ demands.
Specifically, they said Buhrov refused to undergo an expert examination to refute or confirm published video materials (during the meeting with students, the rector stated he would agree to an examination if complete source materials were provided, rather than publications from anonymous Telegram channels – IF-U).
"The only thing—he agreed to leave his post early only if the court of appeal finds him guilty of corruption," the message reads.
The Student Parliament also reported that after the protest, a meeting was held with Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko, who reportedly expressed readiness to react and join the process of resolving the situation.
"As of now, the Student Parliament does not plan new public actions in the near future; however, the protest continues. We are in constant communication with the Ministry of Education and Science, expecting concrete steps from their side and preparing for further developments," the statement says.
As reported, on March 2, the Ministry of Education and Science announced a competition for the position of Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The application period is two months from the date of the announcement, with the elections scheduled for May 27, 2026.
Current Rector Volodymyr Buhrov intends to participate in the competition for the new rector of the university but admits that he may be prevented from doing so. Specifically, he noted that if the appellate instance confirms a previous court ruling, he would be entered into the register of persons with corruption-related offenses and barred from the elections.
On March 25, it became known that the Ministry of Education and Science created a commission to audit the activities of KNU Rector Buhrov. It was noted that this was done in response to an appeal from the university requesting a reaction to information currently in the public domain. The ministry added that there is currently no question of suspending the rector for the duration of the commission’s work.
KNU Rector Buhrov himself stated that he does not believe there are violations of contract fulfillment on his part and is ready to demonstrate this to the commission.
Earlier in March 2026, intimate photos and videos allegedly linked to Rector Buhrov and Room 105 of the KNU main (Red) building appeared on an anonymous Telegram channel.
On April 1, a student protest was held near the university’s "Red Building" calling for Buhrov’s suspension during the audit. Demands included: a public response regarding what happened in Room 105 and who was captured on video; readiness for an independent audit; the rector’s suspension for the duration of the Ministry of Education and Science’s check; and ensuring the absence of any pressure, persecution, or negative consequences for students, staff, and witnesses in connection with participating in the audit or peaceful protest.
