Former rector Budak, who struck a 64-year-old woman at a crosswalk in Mykolaiv, was given a 3-year suspended sentence and 2 years without driving privileges

The victim confirmed full compensation and has no claims, and the prosecutor acknowledged the possibility of rehabilitation without incarceration

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08 Apr 2026

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At the Central District Court of Mykolaiv, a verdict was announced against the former rector of Mykolaiv National University named after Sukhomlynskyi, Valeriy Budak, in the case of a collision with a pedestrian at a crosswalk.

The results of the hearing were reported by the court’s press service, noting that the proceedings concerned a traffic accident involving a Mazda vehicle driven by the accused.

The accident occurred on 9 September 2024, when the driver, making a left turn from Nikolska Street onto Velyka Morska Street toward Pushkinska Street, struck a woman on a pedestrian crossing. The victim, aged 64, was diagnosed with serious bodily injuries.

At the court hearing, the former rector fully admitted guilt, explained that he did not notice the pedestrian, and expressed remorse, while emphasizing that he paid for the treatment and assisted in the victim’s subsequent rehabilitation.

The court examined a receipt from the victim acknowledging receipt of compensation for moral and material damages and the absence of claims against the defendant.

When imposing the sentence, the court took into account Valeriy Budak’s positive character references, the presence of state awards and distinctions, his sincere remorse, and the voluntary reimbursement of the damages. The prosecutor’s position that correction was possible without isolation from society was also taken into account.

The court found the former rector guilty and imposed a sentence of imprisonment for a term of 3 years with a probationary period of 2 years. In addition, Valeriy Budak was deprived of the right to drive vehicles for 2 years.