On April 7, 2014, events that became decisive for Kharkiv Region and Ukraine as a whole took place in Kharkiv. Pro-Russian activists tried to storm the building of Kharkiv Regional State Administration and later create Kharkiv People's Republic. Officers and cadets of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, led by the rector of the university, Militia Colonel-General Serhii Husarov, together with other patriots, defended the state institution, and in fact, defended the freedom and independence of their homeland.
Giving a presentation on television, Serhii Husarov stressed that Kharkiv residents defend the unity and sovereignty of Ukraine, they want to live in their own state and there can be no other opinions on this issue: "The voice of students, cadets, the educational and scientific community of Kharkiv for the future within Ukraine should be heard all over the world".