The Ryumshin Case: The Political Undercurrents of the Arrest and the Legal Groundlessness of the Charges — Commentary by Andriy Yosypov on the Pryamyy TV Channel

Andriy Yosypov, a partner at the Barristers law firm, revealed key details in an interview with the Pryamyy TV channel regarding the case of Dmytro Ryumshyn, the former commander of the 155th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, whose arrest has sparked widespread public debate.

What happened?

Dmytro Ryumshyn is accused of failing to comply with reporting procedures to the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), specifically for failing to report the desertion of one of his subordinates. However, as attorney Andriy Yosypov notes, under current law, military personnel are required to report to the DBR only in cases where corruption crimes are detected. The detection of desertion does not fall under this regulation, so the charges in this case are legally unfounded.

Key points of the interview:

• Illegality of the Charges: According to the attorney, the main problem with the case is that the charges are based on an unlawful interpretation of the law. Dmytro Ryumshyn was under no obligation to report cases of desertion, and the charges are legally unfounded.
• Political Undercurrents of the Case: The attorney emphasized that the case bears all the hallmarks of political motivation. According to him, Ryumshin’s arrest may be part of political pressure on the military, particularly those who take an active stance in defending the country.
• Disproportionate Bail: One of the most glaring issues is the amount of bail—over 90 million hryvnias. Andriy Yosypov noted that this sum is disproportionate and also calls into question the court’s impartiality. Such a high bail amount creates obstacles to the exercise of legal defense and effectively hinders access to justice.

What’s next?

The case materials will be submitted to international bodies and the embassies of the G7 countries to draw attention to violations of human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine, as well as to ensure an independent and fair trial. Dmytro Ryumshyn’s defense team seeks to draw attention to potential violations of standards of justice and human rights protection in Ukraine, particularly in the context of military cases.

Why is this important?

This case concerns more than just one individual. It sends a signal to all Ukrainian military personnel regarding whether they can count on a fair trial in Ukraine when it comes to the rights of service members. The Ryumshin case could set a precedent for future legal proceedings and raises questions about legal support for those who defend the country.
For more details, watch Andriy Yosypov’s interview with the Pryamyy TV channel at the following link: