Two minors involved in the scandal surrounding Russian music in central Kyiv had the police come to their residences, where a search was conducted due to suspicions of illegal possession of firearms and cold weapons. During the searches, prohibited items were indeed found, ranging from a pistol with ammunition to a fake grenade. The Kyiv National Police Department reported on the progress and results of the search on their Facebook page.
The law enforcement announcement regarding the investigative actions against the minors from Kyiv appeared online around 1 PM on January 12. It was stated that searches were conducted in the apartments of the individuals, aged 14 and 17. The reason for the search was an investigation into a suspected crime under part 1 of article 263 of the Criminal Code (illegal handling of weapons). During the inspection, dangerous items were discovered: firearms (a pistol with ammunition), knives, a brass knuckle, and a grenade (a toy one). The items were seized, as noted in the statement. Additionally, computer equipment and phones were confiscated. The minors were creating provocative content using Russian propaganda songs, the police explained. An educational talk was held with the children and their parents at the precinct.
In a video from the search site, we see police retrieving prohibited items from cabinets and drawers. Three knives, two pistols, up to a hundred rounds of ammunition, and school notebooks are visible.
The penalty under part 1 of article 263 is imprisonment for a term of three to seven years. However, the guilt of the suspects has not been proven, meaning it is unclear if they actually possessed the prohibited items. Furthermore, since the suspects are minors, the punishment may take a different form.
Several hours later, a statement from the Kyiv police was released. Law enforcement officials reported that they identified the names of the suspects. It turned out that one of them had previously been held accountable for listening to songs from the country that attacked Ukraine. Meanwhile, on the Instagram of one of the scandal participants, 17-year-old Andrei Dragan, a statement appeared claiming that the minors turned themselves in to the police, and the publications against them are allegedly commissioned. According to blogger Koshel'nik, Andrei was held accountable in the summer of 2024 under part 436-2 of the Criminal Code: for publicly listening to music from the Russian Federation, he publicly apologized and was placed under probation for a year.