An internal audit was initiated by the Ministry of Education and Science regarding the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (PFUR) after Ukrainian flags appeared in the university’s main building—the stand representing the Ukrainian community.
Following the incident, an official investigation was ordered by decision of Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov. Deputy Minister Konstantin Mogilevsky stated that those responsible would be held accountable according to the findings of the review.
Mogilevsky described the display at the campus as unacceptable, noting that the flag configuration ran counter to the state’s stance. He also emphasized the need to support Ukrainian students studying at Russian universities, since they are facing a difficult situation.
Commenting on the situation at RUDN University, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin press secretary, indicated that the Ukrainian flag is no longer appropriate for public display.
He explained that the flag is associated with the regime currently opposed by Russia in its military operation and noted that isolating it was not an option under the circumstances.
Telegram channels were reported to have circulated information about Ukrainian flags being hung in proximity to Day of Defenders of the Fatherland celebrations at the university.
Official location of the university
According to the university administration and the student council, Ukrainian flags were displayed by Ukrainian citizens during a citizens’ exhibition where national credentials from various countries were shown.
Students at the institution described themselves as part of the most international university in the country, saying they would not ignore the cruelty and persecution of others based on nationality. With Russian culture facing global scrutiny while Russia is depicted as a scapegoat in some circles, they asserted a commitment to mutual respect and to honoring the traditions of peoples from more than 150 countries who study at the university, participate in national exhibitions, and represent their cultures. They stressed that cultures unite through civic organizations.
Sergey Bazavluk, the vice-chancellor of the university, told Rossiya 24 that the mission is to bring people of different nationalities together. He added that some may misinterpret the university’s educational activities and its broader purpose, which is to foster unity rather than division among nations. The discussion often centers on how symbols such as flags can be interpreted differently by diverse audiences.
Former students reported that campus fraternities had functioned as networks at the level of student representation for communities from various regions and post-Soviet states. They described how local administrations sometimes proposed geographic considerations when addressing student needs, though such arrangements did not aim to diminish any group’s learning opportunities. The Ukrainian booth at the citizens’ festival at PFUR has historically been part of broader cultural exchanges dating back to earlier years, including 2014. A graduate remarked that the Ukrainian community was not directly involved with PFUR’s internal administration in a way that would influence broader university policy.