On August 7, 2026, a scandal erupted in social media regarding the arrest of a man in Kyiv. Users actively spread the version that the citizen was arrested for participating in protest actions against the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. However, the official version of the law enforcement agencies differs radically from what is being discussed in Telegram channels and on forums.

The Real Reason for the Arrest: Traffic Violation and Mobilization Status

Sources within the law enforcement agencies, commenting on the situation for RBK-Ukraine, refuted the version of a political arrest. In fact, the incident occurred during a routine police check. On August 7, police officers stopped a motorcyclist who was violating traffic rules, specifically moving along pedestrian walkways near one of the shopping centers in Kyiv.

During the document check, it turned out that the man is in the status of a person subject to mobilization (SZCh — Service for Protection and Emergency Situations, or a similar status in the context of wartime). In this regard, he was referred to the Military Law Enforcement Service (VSP). Sources emphasize that no coercive measures, such as the use of handcuffs or confiscation of a phone, were applied by the police. The man voluntarily agreed to go to the department to resolve the issue with his documents.

Why the False Version About Protests Arose

The version that the man was arrested for protests arose against the backdrop of a tense political situation. In Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine, actions of dissatisfaction have been continuing for several weeks regarding the change in the composition of the Cabinet of Ministers, where Mykhailo Fedorov left the post of head of the Ministry of Defense. Video recordings where the citizen shows handcuffs (which, according to the police, could have been installed later or in another context) were picked up by activists and interpreted as evidence of repression against the opposition.

Political Context: Mykhailo Fedorov and His Future

The situation with the arrest overlapped with the ongoing political crisis. In July 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formed a new government, excluding Mykhailo Fedorov, who had held the post of Minister of Defense for six months. According to sources, Fedorov is ready to return to his post only in the event of a complete cancellation of personnel changes. In addition, media reports appeared about Fedorov's attempts to maintain contact with Elon Musk to ensure Ukraine with Starlink satellite communication, which is critically important for the fight against Russian ballistic missiles.

Contradictory Data

There is a clear discrepancy between the version presented on social media and the official comment of the law enforcement agencies. While users insist that the man was arrested for political activity and taken to Bila Tserkva, police sources claim that the incident was related exclusively to a traffic violation and mobilization status. The lack of independent video recording of the moment of arrest and the contradictory testimonies of the participants make the situation difficult to assess unequivocally without further investigations.