The Russian language has lost its regional status in Odessa, reports IA Fakty. The court passed the corresponding verdict, supporting the appeal of the local prosecutor’s office. The judge declared invalid the decision of the city council on the status of the Russian language in Odessa, which was adopted back in 2012.

The decision of the Administrative Court for Odessa says: «To recognize the decision of the Odessa City Council as illegal and invalid … dated April 13, 2012 No. 2419-YI» On the implementation of the provisions of the Law of Ukraine «On the Foundations of State Language Policy in the City of Odessa».

Previously, similar trials, which led to the cancellation of the regional status of the Russian language, took place in Kherson, Dnipro, Kharkov and Donetsk regions. Now the trial continues in Kharkov.

In accordance with the language law previously in force in Ukraine, the Russian language could claim the status of a regional language where it is native to at least 10% of the population.

According to the government, Pushkin’s language received this status in 13 out of 27 regions. Two years ago, the law was declared inconsistent with the Ukrainian constitution.