The National Police are investigating alleged labour and sexual exploitation of students at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (KNUCA) and the private Kyiv University of Culture (KUC). Both establishments are linked to Mykhailo Poplavskyi, according to NGL.media, citing documents from the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv. The criminal case was opened in February 2026 on the grounds of Section 149(2) of the Criminal Code — human trafficking. Journalists were able to identify the names of the universities and restaurants after part of the names of the establishments had been left unredacted in the court ruling that was made public.
- The police are investigating the possible exploitation of students at KNUKiM and KUK.
- The investigation identified at least 60 students.
- They were allegedly employed without employment contracts.
- An investigation is underway into the possible sexual exploitation of female students.
Students were allegedly recruited to work in two restaurants
According to the investigation, the management of KNUKiM and KUK recruited students who were dependent on their grades, a place in a hall of residence or a steady income to work in restaurants «Mr Cheburek» and «The Family Home» about 20 km from Kyiv.
As noted by NGL.media, and it is claimed that no employment contracts were entered into with them.
The investigation also believes that, in order to create the appearance of formal employment, students may have been paid through associated private companies and sole traders.
Law enforcement officers have so far established that at least 60 students, who, according to the case file, were involved in such work.
An episode involving sexual exploitation has emerged in the case files
Initially, the criminal proceedings centred specifically on possible labour exploitation. However, in one of the most recent rulings by the Pechersk District Court, information also emerged regarding the potential sexual exploitation of certain female students.
According to the investigation, some of the girls were allegedly involved in closed private events — parties, banquets and informal gatherings — organised for third parties. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding these events and the role played by officials at educational institutions.
The current acting rector is mentioned as a key figure in the case
Criminal proceedings were initiated in February 2026 — following the expiry of the contract Mykhailo Poplavsky from the KNUKiM, which he headed for over 30 years.
According to NGL.media, The key official currently mentioned in the investigation files is Ihor Komarnitskyi, Acting Rector of the KNUKiM.
The prosecutor claims that it was Komarnytskyi himself who may have directly selected students to work in these establishments. He was previously the dean of the Faculty of Hotel, Catering and Tourism Management at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and worked as an assistant to Poplavskyi when the latter was a Member of Parliament.
The private Kyiv University of Culture, for its part, was founded by Ukrconcert Ltd, which, according to NGL.media, is owned by Oleksandr Poplavskyi — the son of Mykhailo Poplavskyi.
This isn’t the first incident involving the University of Culture
In March 2026, law enforcement agencies also reported that a separate criminal investigation into the alleged embezzlement of approximately 760 million hryvnias through fictitious students at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.
In that context investigation On 27 March, more than 20 searches took place, including at Mykhailo Poplavskyi’s home, as well as at state and private universities of culture.
The current case concerning the alleged exploitation of students is a separate criminal investigation. At this stage, the matter concerns the investigation’s version of events, as set out in the court documents. Only a court can make a final legal assessment of the actions of specific individuals.
