The High Council of Justice of Ukraine Dismisses Judge Volodymyr Kupin
The High Council of Justice of Ukraine has announced the dismissal of Judge Volodymyr Kupin from the Balakliia District Court of the Kharkiv Region, who had collaborated with the Russians. According to the disciplinary chamber, after the capture of Balakliia by Russian forces in February 2022, the judge voluntarily sided with the enemy and provided assistance to Russia in subversive activities against Ukraine.
In mid-April 2022, he traveled to the occupied town of Kupiansk, where he took a position in an illegal occupation body called the «Temporary Civil Administration of the Kharkiv Region.» In the building occupied by the Russians, Kupin met with citizens, provided them with legal advice according to Russian legislation, and carried out other duties at the occupiers’ orders.
Therefore, the judge consciously cooperated with the Russian occupiers and contributed to the establishment of occupation authority in the Kharkiv region. His actions have been recognized as a significant disciplinary violation, incompatible with the status of a judge in Ukraine.
After the de-occupation, Kupin fled and is being sought under Article 111 Part 2 (state treason committed under martial law) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
