A high-profile scandal involving six underage boys who staged provocative shows in the city centre has broken out in Kyiv. They blocked streets, filmed videos to Russian music, threw money around and defiantly declared their impunity, relying on the influence and wealth of their parents.
Provocation and public reaction
The incident took place on 25 December, but the video of the young men’s antics went viral on social media only on 10 January. The footage shows the boys listening to songs by Russian artists, including Russian propagandist Shaman, and cutting up cars on Khreshchatyk. One of the videos captured them driving by the memorial to the fallen soldiers of Ukraine with loud Russian music playing.
Their statements that all ‘problems will be solved by gifts’ from their parents caused particular outrage. On social media, Ukrainians called for immediate punishment not only for the teenagers themselves, but also for their families.
Who is behind the scandal?
According to the police, the ‘bloggers’ were six residents of Kyiv aged 14 to 17. The boys’ parents work in various fields: in the district state administration, the state special transport service, a hotel in the capital, an educational institution, and in business. One of them is retired.
One of the people involved in the scandal was already punished for similar actions in 2023, when he listened to Russian songs in public places and received a year of probation.
‘Spoiled brats’ or exaggeration?
The police noted that the boys’ status as “majors” was exaggerated. Telegram channels published information that the cars for the filming were rented through a special website, and the money and weapons in the video turned out to be toy ones. However, according to law enforcement officers, real weapons, ammunition, a strikeball grenade, brass knuckles, a knife, as well as computer equipment and mobile phones were seized from two of the participants during the searches.
Searches and new details
On the night of 12 January, police searched the homes of two minors. Based on the results of the seizures, criminal proceedings were initiated under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Law enforcement officers suspect that the defendants may commit new offences.
Reaction of participants and consequences
Since the scandal, two of the teenagers have continued to be active on their social media, where they showcase their luxurious lifestyles and boast of their connections to the business elite. Other participants tried to justify themselves, claiming that their actions were exaggerated online.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate. Meanwhile, society is demanding severe punishment to prevent such cases from happening again.