Court Finds Violations in “Diesel Show,” but No Fine Will Be Imposed: Why the Case Was Dismissed
15 July 17:06
The Pechersky District Court of Kyiv heard an administrative case against the director of “Diesel Studio,” Mykhailo Shynkarenko, whom the police accused of illegally using the symbols and uniform elements of the National Police during the filming of the comedy project “Diesel Show.” Although the court recognized that an offense had been committed, it was unable to impose an administrative penalty because the statutory time limits had expired.
This is stated in the court ruling, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What videos are in question?
According to law enforcement officials, between 2025 and 2026, “Diesel Studio” organized the filming of a series of comedy sketches at the International Center for Culture and Arts, which were subsequently published on YouTube. While reviewing these videos, the police determined that the actors used items of uniform and official insignia belonging to the National Police of Ukraine.
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These include uniforms, headgear, sleeve insignia, chest badges, and other elements approved by a government resolution on police uniforms. According to law enforcement officials, the use of these specific items could have given viewers the impression that the actors were employees of the National Police.
Representatives of the studio denied any violation. In court, they explained that all items were used exclusively as theatrical props to create comedic and satirical characters.
The defense emphasized that the performances did not imitate the actual work of law enforcement officers, did not mislead the audience into believing that the actors held official authority, and could not have harmed state interests. In addition, the company’s attorney pointed out flaws in the administrative report, noting that it did not clearly specify the time, place, and manner in which the violation occurred, nor did it adequately substantiate which specific legal provisions the studio director had violated.
After reviewing the case materials, the court concluded that during filming, the actors used not prop replicas but actual elements of the police uniform approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. In the court’s view, this goes beyond the bounds of artistic intent and contradicts the legal requirements regarding the use of National Police symbols.
The court also took into account that representatives of the National Police had previously sent an official letter to “Diesel Studio” demanding that the use of such elements be discontinued; however, as noted in the ruling, this demand went unheeded.
The court determined that the administrative offense was committed on September 5, 2025, during the broadcast of an episode of the “Diesel Show.” Following the proceedings, the director of “Diesel Studio” was found guilty of the unlawful use of the name and insignia of the National Police of Ukraine, as provided for in Article 184-3 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.
The proceedings were closed because, at the time of the hearing, the statute of limitations had expired, meaning the court no longer had the authority to impose an administrative penalty.
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