Russia actively uses Telegram for cyberattacks, geolocation of users, correction of missile strikes, etc. In order to minimize these threats, in September 2024, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine decided to ban the installation and use of Telegram on official devices of employees of state authorities, military personnel, employees of the security and defense sector, as well as critical infrastructure enterprises.
So far, this initiative has been supported by a number of leading universities of Ukraine: NU "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy", LNU, KNU, ChNU, UKU and others.
Points of attention
The ban on Telegram by leading Ukrainian universities comes as a response to Russia's use of the platform for cyberattacks and other security threats.
The initiative, supported by key educational institutions like NU 'Kyiv-Mohyla Academy', LNU, KNU, and others, aims to enhance the protection of sensitive information and vital infrastructure.
Ukrainian universities are transitioning to alternative communication resources while allowing the use of Telegram solely for scientific research purposes.
The ban involves deleting all university-related accounts and links to Telegram, with measures in place to restrict access on university premises.
Other universities, including the Ukrainian Catholic University and the National Aviation University, have also implemented restrictions on Telegram usage for official communications.
It was forbidden to use Telegram in Mohylanka
National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" decided to ban the use of the Telegram messenger for educational and official purposes. The corresponding order was signed by the president of the university Serhiy Kvit.
Ukrainian businessman Yaroslav Azhnyuk published the relevant document on his Facebook page.
The ban will come into effect on January 1, 2025. According to the document, students and employees of the university are prohibited from using Telegram in work communication and the educational process, as well as from using its web version. Instead, it is recommended to switch to other resources for communication.
Telegram is allowed to be used exclusively as a source of information for scientific research. At the same time, the restrictions apply to the devices of university employees, and all accounts and links related to NaUKMA must be deleted.
Also, by the end of 2024, employees of the Information and Computing Center must take measures to limit access to Telegram on the university territory, in particular in buildings and dormitories.
Which universities in Ukraine have banned the use of Telegram
Several leading higher educational institutions of Ukraine have introduced restrictions on the use of the Telegram messenger for work. These measures were adopted on the basis of decrees of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and letters from regional military administrations.
The press services of the universities reported on this en masse.
On November 5, at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (LNU), by order of the rector, university employees were prohibited from using Telegram to transmit work-related information, as well as for personal communication on work devices. Technical control over the implementation of this order is entrusted to the center of network technologies and IT support.
Order of the rector of LNU
In the future, the baton of the ban was supported by Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University (KNU). From November 11, the ban on the use of telegrams for official purposes also enters into force at KNU. The university has already started asking students which other platform they chose for further communication.
Chernivtsi National University named after Yury Fedkovich also introduced a ban on the use of Telegram for work communications, and it is forbidden to install the messenger on work and personal computers. All links to the university's Telegram channels and bots have been removed from the university's pages.
Several other universities, including the Ukrainian Catholic University, Kyiv Capital University named after Borys Grinchenko, and the National Aviation University, have also made similar decisions to limit the use of Telegram in official communication.
The State Migration Service has developed and is implementing an algorithm for accepting certain categories of foreigners into Ukrainian citizenship. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already published an algorithm of actions that will help to understand this issue.
Points of attention
Explore the conditions for obtaining citizenship based on military service under contract, continuous legal residence, or being awarded a state honor by Ukraine.
Discover the eligibility criteria for foreigners who provided instructional assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the ATO zone, and those who offered support during martial law.
Find out the detailed steps to follow, including submitting applications, obtaining identity documents, and applying for a Ukrainian passport.
Algorithm for accepting Ukrainian citizenship for certain categories of foreigners
How to acquire Ukrainian citizenship for a person who has outstanding services to Ukraine, or whose admission to Ukrainian citizenship is in the state interest of Ukraine. To do this, you need to:
Contact the territorial unit of the State Social Insurance Institution (SMS) at your place of residence in person.
Submit documents:
application for admission to Ukrainian citizenship (according to the established form, formed in the territorial unit of the State Migration Service, in 2 notes);
a submission addressed to the President of Ukraine, the central executive body of Ukraine, stating that the person has outstanding services to Ukraine, or that admission to Ukrainian citizenship is in the state interest of Ukraine ( form 21, 22 )
national passport with a translation into Ukrainian, certified in accordance with the established procedure, with a note on the legality of residence in the territory of Ukraine (if available, a temporary or permanent residence permit);
obligation to pass exams on the basics of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine, and the level of proficiency in the state language, within two years from the moment of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship;
declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship (in the prescribed form);
3 photos 35x45 mm;
a receipt for payment of state duty in the amount of UAH 8.50 kopecks.
When submitting an application, original documents are presented.
Obtain an identity document confirming citizenship of Ukraine.
After the issuance of the Decree of the President of Ukraine on the admission of a person to Ukrainian citizenship, obtain a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine and submit an application for the issuance of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine.
How to acquire Ukrainian citizenship for a person who is/was serving in military service under a contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, or the National Guard of Ukraine
persons undergoing military service — 3 years of continuous legal residence from the date the contract comes into force;
persons who have completed military service under a contract and have been discharged from military service: 5 years of continuous legal residence or being married to a citizen of Ukraine for more than 2 years.
Please note! Continuity of residence is not required for persons who have completed military service under a contract and have been discharged from military service based on a medical certificate due to unfitness for service.
You must personally contact the territorial unit of the State Social Insurance Institution at your actual place of residence/stay. Submit documents:
Application for admission to Ukrainian citizenship (according to the established form, formed in the territorial unit of the State Migration Service, in 2 notes);
3 photos 35x45 mm;
declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship (in the prescribed form);
income certificate;
a receipt for payment of state duty in the amount of UAH 8.50 kopecks;
In case of service, the following is submitted:
service contract and certificate from the place of service, military ID card, national passport* with a translation into Ukrainian and certified in accordance with the established procedure;
obligation to pass exams within two years from the moment of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship**.
In the case of service and discharge based on a medical opinion due to unfitness for service, a certificate from the place of service on the period of military service is submitted, a copy of the order on discharge from military service, certified in accordance with the established procedure, on the grounds provided for in subparagraph "b" of paragraphs 1 — 3 of part five of Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service", a copy of the conclusion of the military medical commission on unfitness for military service, certified in accordance with the established procedure, a military ID card, a national passport* with a translation into Ukrainian, certified in accordance with the established procedure; certificates of passing exams.
When submitting an application, original documents are presented.
Obtain an identity document confirming citizenship of Ukraine.
After the issuance of the Decree of the President of Ukraine on the admission of a person to Ukrainian citizenship, obtain a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine and submit an application for the issuance of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine.
Citizens of Russia, the Republic of Belarus, Armenia, Bolivia, Cuba, North Korea, Nicaragua, Sudan, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela may submit an expired national passport.
Foreigners who acquired Ukrainian citizenship during martial law in Ukraine and submitted an obligation to take exams and continue to perform military service under a contract shall take exams within two years from the date of termination or cancellation of martial law in Ukraine.
How to acquire Ukrainian citizenship for a person who is/was serving in military service under a contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard of Ukraine and has been awarded a state award of Ukraine
Contact the territorial unit of the State Social Insurance Institution in person at your actual place of residence/stay.
Submit documents:
Application for admission to Ukrainian citizenship (according to the established form, formed in the territorial unit of the State Migration Service, in 2 notes);
3 photos 35x45 mm;
a declaration of renunciation of a person's foreign citizenship (in the prescribed form);
a receipt for payment of state duty in the amount of UAH 8.50 kopecks;
In case of military service, the following documents are submitted: a service contract and a certificate from the place of service, a military ID card, a national passport* with a translation into Ukrainian certified in accordance with the established procedure, a document confirming the awarding of a state award;
obligation to pass exams within two years from the moment of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship**;
In the case of service and discharge based on a medical opinion due to unfitness for service, the following shall be submitted: a certificate from the place of service on the period of military service, a duly certified copy of the order on discharge from military service on the grounds provided for in subparagraph "b" of paragraphs 1 — 3 of part five of Article 26 of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service", a duly certified copy of the conclusion of the military medical commission on unfitness for military service, a document on awarding a state award, a military ID card, a national passport* with a translation into Ukrainian certified in the prescribed manner;
When submitting an application, original documents are presented.
Obtain an identity document confirming citizenship of Ukraine.
After the issuance of the Decree of the President of Ukraine on the admission of a person to Ukrainian citizenship, obtain a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine and submit an application for the issuance of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine.
Citizens of Russia, the Republic of Belarus, Armenia, Bolivia, Cuba, North Korea, Nicaragua, Sudan, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela may submit an expired national passport.
Foreigners who acquired Ukrainian citizenship during martial law in Ukraine and submitted an obligation to take exams and continue to perform military service under a contract shall take exams within two years from the date of termination or cancellation of martial law in Ukraine.
How to acquire Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners from among the persons specified in part twenty of Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons", namely foreigners who provided instructional (shooting, tactical, and other) assistance to units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, other military formations formed in accordance with the laws of Ukraine in the ATO zone:
Apply in person to the territorial unit of the State Medical Service at the actual place of residence/stay. Submit documents:
Application for admission to Ukrainian citizenship (according to the established form, formed in the territorial unit of the State Migration Service, in 2 notes)
3 photos 35x45 mm.
declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship (in the prescribed form)
temporary residence permit
national passport* with a translation into Ukrainian certified in accordance with the established procedure
obligation to pass exams on the basics of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine and the level of proficiency in the state language within two years from the moment of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship
Receipt for payment of state duty in the amount of UAH 8.50 kopecks.
When submitting an application, original documents are presented.
Obtain an identity document confirming citizenship of Ukraine.
How to acquire citizenship of Ukraine for foreigners from among the persons specified in part twenty-four of Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons", namely, foreigners who, during the period of martial law in Ukraine, provide/provided rifle, tactical, radio, explosive, medical and other assistance to units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, including territorial defense units, volunteer formations of territorial communities, while being directly in the areas of hostilities
Conditions for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship:
three years of continuous legal residence after obtaining a temporary residence permit.
Apply in person to the territorial unit of the State Medical Service at the actual place of residence/stay. Submit documents:
Application for admission to Ukrainian citizenship (according to the established form, formed in the territorial unit of the State Migration Service, in 2 notes)
3 photos 35x45 mm.
declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship (in the prescribed form)
temporary residence permit
national passport* with a translation into Ukrainian certified in accordance with the established procedure
certificates of passing exams on the basics of the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of Ukraine and the level of proficiency in the state language
income certificate
a receipt for payment of state duty in the amount of UAH 8.50 kopecks.
Original documents are presented when submitting an application.
Obtain an identity document confirming citizenship of Ukraine.
After the issuance of the Decree of the President of Ukraine on the admission of a person to Ukrainian citizenship, obtain a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine and submit an application for the issuance of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine.
Citizens of Russia, the Republic of Belarus, Armenia, Bolivia, Cuba, North Korea, Nicaragua, Sudan, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela can submit an expired national passport.
