Russia’s Education and Science Ministry to conduct inspection of RUDN University because of Ukrainian flags displayed at university exhibition

Russia’s Education and Science Ministry has initiated an official inspection of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) after an exhibition took place in the university during which Ukrainian flags were displayed in the building, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Konstantin Mogilevsky told Russia’s state news agency TASS.

“Following this incident, by order of Minister of Education and Science Valery Falkov, an official inspection has been set up; according to its results, those responsible will be punished,” he said.

According to Mogilevsky, “display of flags of the state that is currently being led by a neo-Nazi regime <…> is totally unacceptable and has nothing to do with popularisation of a real Malorussian culture.” 

Telegram channels previously reported that an exhibition of Ukrainian culture was held in the main RUDN University building, as part of which Ukrainian flags were displayed. 

According to the organisers of the exhibition, it was agreed upon with the university management and approved by the vice rector responsible for working with students.

The RUDN Student Council said that the event had been conducted as part of the traditional exhibition of hometown associations that are part of the university, the Ukrainian one among them. 

“Hundreds of disgusting comments of nationalistic character and incitement of unnecessary hatred towards each other made us realise that we cannot stay quiet. <…> We, students of the most international university in the country, are not ready to close our eyes to harassment and oppression of others on the basis of nationality. <…> Let politicians deal with politics — we share the Russian Federation’s position on matters of supporting cultural, national, and ideological diversity,” members of the council said in a statement.