There are reports online that a man who joined the team of ‘language inspectors’ was allegedly beaten in Ivano-Frankivsk. His wife allegedly complained about this incident by posting a corresponding message on Facebook. She also allegedly wrote statements and complaints to the relevant authorities.

However, the Center for Counteracting Disinformation, after verifying this ‘news’ at the Main Directorate of the National Police in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, reported that there have been no recent reports of any crimes committed on the basis of language in the city.

‘Language Patrol’ is a volunteer initiative of Ivano-Frankivsk Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv. Its idea is that volunteers will tolerantly make comments when using Russian and offer to attend language courses. At the same time, ‘language inspectors’ will not have any special powers, they will not punish violators.

The Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremin, commented on this initiative, noting that Ivano-Frankivsk was the only regional center that did not have a language program, so the mayor can create working groups that will monitor compliance with language legislation.

Russian propaganda spreads such fakes to create the illusion of a split in Ukrainian society around the language issue. Earlier, we recorded disinformation that Ivan Franko LNU opened recruitment for a team of ‘language inspectors’.