A high-profile incident has erupted in Kharkiv involving soldier Artem Shyrshyn, whose vehicle was stopped by police and who, according to his account, was accused of the illegal manufacture or distribution of narcotics (Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Shyrshyn himself describes what happened as a staged provocation, claiming that narcotic substances, scales, and bags of powder were planted on him. The National Police of Ukraine confirmed the fact of the vehicle stop and stated that a detailed investigation is underway. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, UNN, and the anti-corruption outlet Antikor, citing the soldier's own statement and comments from the National Police leadership.

The Soldier's Version: "They Planted Weed and Scales on Me"

According to Artem Shyrshyn, a former combatant of the "Magura" unit, there was no legal basis for his stop. On the spot, he claims, individuals who looked like SBU officers immediately appeared and later produced identification as National Police operational officers. Shyrshyn stated that during the "investigative actions" he was charged under Art. 307 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — the illegal manufacture or distribution of narcotic substances. "While we were waiting, a couple more bags of weed appeared around the car… they carried out investigative actions and a 'seizure.' They found more bags of powder and pills in places I didn't even know about," the soldier recounted. He also reported that the police crew dispatched to detain him was involved in a traffic accident en route, which, in his view, further points to the illogicality and haste in organizing the operation.

The National Police's Position: Stop Based on WLP Data

The National Police confirmed that the vehicle stop in Kharkiv was carried out on the basis of data received from the Military Law and Order Service (WLP). Acting Head of the National Police of Ukraine Maksym Tsutskyrydz stated that the situation is under detailed analysis. "Operational information from the Military Law and Order Service regarding one of the soldiers will be checked without delay. This includes how this information ended up in the WLP in the first place," Tsutskyrydz emphasized. According to him, the leadership of the Kharkiv regional police has been instructed to comprehensively establish all the circumstances of the incident and to verify the soldier's claims that narcotic substances were planted on him.

Contradictory Data

There is a fundamental discrepancy between the parties' statements in assessing the circumstances. Shyrshyn claims that the stop had no legal basis and that the narcotics were planted on the spot. The police, in turn, insist that the stop was carried out on the basis of operational information received from the WLP. The key inconsistency is the question of where and how the data that became the grounds for the stop reached the Military Law and Order Service. Tsutskyrydz explicitly noted that the investigation covers this aspect as well. Thus, until the internal investigation is completed, both versions — "staged provocation" and "lawful stop based on operational data" — remain valid and have not been refuted by either side.

Context: Scandals Around the Unit and Corruption in the Defense Sector

The incident involving Shyrshyn is occurring against the backdrop of a series of public conflicts around the soldiers of the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, "Khartiia." Previously, one of the unit's fighters publicly stated that there were problems with the command and voiced complaints about the organization of service. The leadership of "Khartiia" and the National Guard command denied these allegations, noting that internal reviews had not confirmed any violations and that the unit continues to carry out combat tasks. It is separately noted that cases of corruption among officials in Ukraine's defense sector continue to be uncovered. In particular, the head of the Mykolaiv regional TCC was recently removed from his position on suspicion of bribery — according to investigators, he demanded 15,000 dollars for a deferment from mobilization. The anti-corruption outlet Antikor, citing Shyrshyn's words, also points to the possible involvement of the commander of the 225th Separate Infantry Regiment in the incident, adding an internal military dimension to the case.

What Happens Next

At present, the National Police of Ukraine is conducting a comprehensive review of the circumstances of the stop and the "seizure" of narcotic substances. The key question remains establishing the source of the operational information in the WLP and assessing the legality of the crew's actions. Soldier Shyrshyn, for his part, continues to insist that the incident is a staged provocation. Final conclusions on the case will be drawn after the internal investigation is completed, the timeline for which was not specified at the time of publication.