Fedorova was summoned to the police station following his visit to the session: «Obstruction of councillors’ activities»

Svitlana Fedorova, a former member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council and a doctor, was summoned to a police station to provide a statement regarding criminal proceedings initiated on 6 May under Part 1 of Article 351 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, «Obstruction of the activities of a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine or a member of a local council».

This is evidenced by the summons, which the former councillor published on her social media accounts, according to NikVesti.

Svitlana Fedorova is required to appear at Police Station №1 of the Mykolaiv District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Mykolaiv Region (Central Police Station) on 29 May.

Summon to the police. Photo: Svitlana Fedorova

As a reminder, on 30 April, a plenary session of the Mykolaiv City Council took place, which Svitlana Fedorova attended alongside her colleague Hanna Kurkurina, where they demanded the right to speak on the issue of the closure of kindergartens. They also urged councillors not to support these draft resolutions. The former councillor linked her summons to the police to the fact that the city authorities «do not want to hear uncomfortable questions from her».

At the session on 30 April, Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych refused to give the floor to Svitlana Fedorova and Hanna Kurkurina and did not put the question of whether to grant them the floor to a vote, leaving it to the discretion of the session.

According to Oleksandr Sienkevych, it was necessary to register in advance at the city council office in order to speak.

Civil society activists at the city council session. Photo: NikVesti

Six days after the session, the police launched a criminal investigation under Part 1 of Article 351 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, «Obstruction of the activities of a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and a member of a local council».

It is currently unknown who filed the complaint in this case.

Under this article, the offence involves a public official’s failure to comply with a councillor’s lawful demands, the creation of artificial obstacles to their work, or the provision of knowingly false information. Such actions are punishable by a fine of between one thousand and two thousand non-taxable minimum incomes, probation for up to three years, or restriction of liberty for the same period.

It is also not publicly known whether Svitlana Fedorova is a public official of any state or municipal institutions. Her last publicly known position was as chief physician of the regional infectious diseases hospital, from which she was dismissed in February 2022.

As a reminder, Tetiana Dombrovska, a member of the Mykolaiv City Council, and Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych argued on Facebook regarding the procedure for citizens’ participation in the city council’s plenary sessions following the events of 30 April.

Why does Mykolaiv want to close three nurseries?

The Mykolaiv Education Department has initiated a decision to close three nurseries: №104 (a nursery on Torhova Street in the Korabelnyi district), №128 (a nursery-kindergarten at the junction of Mariupolska and Pavlo Skoropadskyi Streets (formerly Admiral Makarov Street)) and №138 (a nursery-kindergarten on General Popel Street in Balabanivka). The official reason is the lack of, and inability to install, bomb shelters. This means that if the motion is passed at the session, there will no longer be such educational establishments in Mykolaiv, and their total number will decrease.

Support those who keep the city informed every day

Club NikVesti — a place where the reader and the editorial team are on the same side.

Members have access to a private chat, an exclusive newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories from journalists, see the news earlier, and influence the changes.

Join us. Together we keep the city bright

One-time support Monthly

€ 1 € 2 € 10

Donate

by phone

---

by card

€ 2

by phone

---

by card

€ 5

by phone

---

by card

€ 10

by phone

---

by card

Secure payment

The recipient of donations is the NGO “Mykolaiv Media Hub” (EDRPOU 45160758). By making a donation, you confirm that the amount is non-refundable and may be used by the NGO to implement its statutory activities, including supporting independent journalism and creating socially significant content. Public offer.

During the committee meeting, the chair of the education committee, Hanna Nord, stated that it is the institutions themselves that are being proposed for closure, whilst the buildings will remain the property of the city.

And following the closure of the three pre-school educational institutions, initiated by the Mykolaiv Department of Education, the Department of Municipal Property and the City Council will decide how to use them.

What do city councillors think about the closure?

Councillor Olena Kiseliova supported the closure of the pre-school institutions, stating that it is not cost-effective for the city to maintain them. She says that there is a broader issue behind the closure than the fact that they lack shelters and it is impossible to build them there. During the war, the institutions have been idle, but all this time it has been necessary to maintain the buildings and staff.

Councillor Artem Iliuk stated that he could support the legal closure of the three nurseries, but said he would not support the subsequent privatisation of these buildings.

Tamila Buhaienko, former deputy mayor of Mykolaiv, also commented on the education department’s proposal to close the three nurseries. She believes this could lead to a shortage of places in pre-school facilities once the war ends. Councillor Tetiana Dombrovska also spoke out against the proposal.

Meanwhile, Yurii Hranaturov, Mayor of Mykolaiv from 2014 to 2016, described this issue as critically important for the city, particularly given the changing demographics and the renewed demand for pre-school education. According to him, the situation regarding kindergartens in Mykolaiv has repeatedly gone through various phases — from a surplus to a shortage of places.