The case of Shrek

The Case

Since the beginning of the war, Ihor Kravchenko (call sign "Shrek") organized the processing of captured and unusable ammunition for the needs of the front. He made explosive materials for drones and repaired anti-tank rocket launchers. For this, he used his own workshop near the front, near Kharkiv, which was completely autonomous and equipped with everything necessary for continuous work. His activities were coordinated with the military command, and he worked exclusively for the benefit of the defense of Ukraine.

However, on May 8, 2024, about thirty law enforcement officers broke into his house and workshop, conducted a search, seized ammunition and stopped his activities. Ihor explained that stopping production would directly affect hostilities and increase the risk of casualties among the Ukrainian military, but the law enforcement officers said that they were not interested in this. Despite the fact that the weapons he was working with were provided by the military command for repair or conversion, the police seized them for a so-called "examination", halting the workshop's vital activities.

In addition, the police began to put pressure on Igor's students, who helped him in his work, forcing them to "hand over" information about their factories, which made the situation even more difficult. Ihor was accused of illegal activities under Article 263 of the Criminal Code, despite the fact that his actions were aimed at increasing the country's defense capabilities.

The court confined him to house arrest, although investigators and the prosecutor demanded imprisonment. The activities of his workshop have been completely stopped, and the materials that could save lives on the front line have actually been stolen by the police, although according to the protocol they are made as if they were destroyed or handed over for examination (which is not necessary).

About Shrek

Ihor Ivanovich Kravchenko is a defender of Ukraine, a participant of the Orange and Revolution of Dignity in Kharkiv. In 2014, he became a volunteer and served in the 92nd brigade, first as a sniper, and later as a gunsmith. He helped as a bomb technician and restored trophy weapons for an effective fight against the aggressor.

Ihor's workshop became famous on the front lines - he not only repaired weapons, but also invented new models that were introduced into production. Despite the persecution of the law enforcement officers, Ihor refused to hand over his studies, students and to cooperate with the investigation.

Criminal proceedings — No. 12024220000000281 dated 03/07/2024

The investigator is Shagalin Artem Serhiyovych

The prosecutor is Oleksiy Oleksiyovych Zhivotchenko

The investigative judge of the Kyiv District Court of Kharkiv is Demchenko Svitlana Valeriivna

The situation surrounding the military and armory master Ihor Kravchenko is a vivid example of how law enforcement agencies, in particular the Ministry of Internal Affairs, undermine Ukraine's defense capabilities by engaging in arbitrary actions against those who actually defend the country. Igor, being an experienced gunsmith and explosives technician, actually performed a critically important function for our military units — repairing, designing and modernizing weapons in conditions of their shortage. His activities directly saved the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and allowed units to successfully resist the Russian aggressor.

However, instead of supporting and promoting his activities, Ihor was harassed by law enforcement officers, who paralyzed his work. Searches, seizure of equipment and workshops, attempts to force him to "hand over" his work and coerce him - all this is part of a systematic problem. The Ministry of Internal Affairs actually endangers the lives of our soldiers and the overall military potential of the country, blocking the activities of those who actually ensure victory at the front.

#zp11073

The price of the question is not only the personal freedom of Ihor Kravchenko, but also the lives of thousands of soldiers who need serviceable and modern weapons. Bill No. 11073, which has been under consideration by the Law Enforcement Committee since March 2024, proposes to decriminalize the production and storage of weapons by removing Articles 263 and 263-1 of the Criminal Code, leaving only administrative responsibility.

In wartime, volunteers, specialists and private workshops play a key role in providing the army, so prosecution for "illegal" manufacture or repair of weapons only undermines the country's defense capability. Decriminalization will allow specialists to help the front more effectively, reduce the burden on state structures and allow resources to be concentrated on protection against the aggressor, rather than on countering patriots.