The State Bureau of Investigation has detained former police officers in connection with the Shyrshyn case
The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) announced that it had exposed three former police officers suspected of planting drugs on Oleksandr Shyrshyn, the former commander of the 47th Mechanized Brigade’s “Magura” battalion. According to investigators, the men followed the soldier, broke into his car, and planted drugs and psychotropic substances there, after which they reported the incident to law enforcement. The detainees have been notified of the charges against them, and investigators will also examine the actions of the police officers and military personnel from the Special Police Forces who were involved in the incident.
According to the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), three former police officers were allegedly involved in the scheme. They are currently serving in one of the separate assault regiments. Investigators believe that the men illegally surveilled Oleksandr Shyrshyn and gathered confidential information about him.
According to law enforcement, the goal was to discredit the former commander of a battalion of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura.” As noted by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), the plan involved breaking into the soldier’s vehicle, planting prohibited substances, and subsequently involving the police and the Military Law Enforcement Service. Thus, according to the suspects’ plan, Shirshin was to be detained on the basis of fabricated evidence.
The drugs were planted in the car at night
According to the investigation, the key events took place on the night of August 28, 2026. The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) claims that three suspects broke into Shyrshyn’s car, which was parked near his home. They allegedly hid narcotics and psychotropic substances, packaged in zip-top bags, inside the car.
Afterward, according to the investigation, the men informed the police and Military Security Service (VSP) officers that the soldier’s car allegedly contained prohibited substances. “The investigation established that the three suspects were illegally surveilling the former commander and gathering confidential information about him,” the State Bureau of Investigation reported.
They continued to follow the car even after planting the substances
According to the investigation, the plan did not end there. When Shyrshyn got into his car and drove off to run his errands, the suspects continued to follow him. They allegedly relayed information about the car’s route to law enforcement.
Subsequently, police officers stopped the car in Kharkiv. During a search, law enforcement officers found drugs and psychotropic substances in the vehicle. However, according to the State Bureau of Investigation, these substances had been planted there in advance by the suspects themselves. In other words, investigators view the situation not as a chance discovery of drugs on a soldier, but as a premeditated attempt to fabricate evidence against him.
What charges are being brought against the detainees?
The three suspects have already been notified of the charges against them. The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) cites several criminal offenses. These include unlawful entry into a person’s residence or other property. The men are also suspected of unlawfully collecting, storing, and disseminating confidential information about a person, if this was done repeatedly.
Separately, they are accused of the unlawful acquisition, possession, transportation, and sale of narcotics and particularly dangerous psychotropic substances as part of a premeditated conspiracy by a group of individuals. Another charge pertains to incitement to bring a person known to be innocent to criminal liability. The court will provide the final legal assessment of the suspects’ actions.
The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) will review the actions of the police and the Military Prosecutor’s Office
Separately, the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) stated that it will not limit its investigation to the actions of the three detainees. As part of the pre-trial investigation, investigators must assess the actions of all parties involved in this situation. In particular, they will investigate police officers and members of the Military Law Enforcement Service who were involved in the detention and search of the vehicle.
This is important because it was law enforcement officers who, following a report of alleged drugs, stopped Shyrshyn’s vehicle and conducted the search. The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) has not disclosed all the details of the investigation. In particular, there are no final conclusions yet regarding who exactly organized the scheme or whether other people were involved in it.
Pretrial measures may be imposed on the suspects
The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) is preparing a motion to the court to impose a pretrial measure in the form of pretrial detention on the detainees. The final decision will be up to the court.
At the same time, the mere fact of being notified of suspicion does not mean that the men’s guilt has already been proven. Under Ukrainian law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict. The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officials must establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident involving Shyrshyn’s car, the origin of the prohibited substances, and the actions of individuals who may have been involved in this situation. This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR).
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