UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Oct. 15 — On Oct. 10, an unknown man attacked Vira Chernyhina, a Kharkiv LGBTQ+ activist, because she’s a member of queer community. Chernyhina told Gwara Media the details of the attack.

The activist said that she took the last subway train to get home and spotted a hugging couple who watched her and her LGBTQ+ merch.

Chernyhina got off the train at 9:35 p.m., but the man from the couple caught up with her near the turnstiles at the exit from the station.

He asked the activist if she was a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She said yes — she is a lesbian and has been an activist since 2006.

“People often ask me about that. When I say “yes,” people say that they are also a member of LGBTQ+, but it is hard for them to open up to themselves. I always help people. So, at first, I was glad that he approached me, but then I understood why he did it,” explained Chernyhina to Gwara.

The man asked the next question about Chernyhina’s feelings about the right-wing community. He said in Russian: “I’m a right-wing.”

Chernyhina answered that it is his choice and he “can be anyone.”

“Then, he went crazy. He kept threatening me,” said the activist, noting that the man wasn’t drunk.

According to Chernyhina, she wanted to leave the subway, but the man followed her, screaming: “What if I will beat you?”

Chernyhina wasn’t reacting to the threats and continued to walk, but the man blocked her path, took her by the shoulder, and repeated several times, “What if I shoot you?”

She was looking for the camera, and when she turned to the man again, he pointed an unknown metal object at her.

At first, the activist froze, but then turned around and went to the subway hall. All this time, the man kept following her, tugging at her backpack and “rainbow” chevron.

Chernyhina saw the subway worker and asked her to call the police. After that, the man ran away.

Because of the late hours and the curfew, Chernyhina contacted the subway police department only the next day.

Chernyhina said that it was an attack with the intention to kill. She wants people who threaten others because of their existence to face criminal liability.

“Our PrideHub has its “own” police department, and they knew about attack cases. They just gather the information and pass it further. Others (attackers) believe that they could choose the lighter punishment. But that won’t happen,” said the activist

Currently, Ukraine does not have clear laws that prohibit hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people. In early August 2025 Ukrainian Parliament registered draft law №13597, which aims to significantly update Ukrainian legislation in the field of anti-discrimination.

The draft law proposes a clearer list of protected characteristics, administrative liability for discriminatory actions without violence, and a separate criminal article for public incitement to violence motivated by intolerance.

The human rights center ZMINA said that if adopted, the draft law will introduce effective punishment mechanisms that take into account the degree of danger of the crime committed. It will help create a safer environment for LGBTIQ+ people, national and religious communities, people with disabilities, veterans, etc.

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