On the day of his 25th birthday, a hero of Ukraine and a fighter of the National Guard, Yevhen Hromadskyi, faced an incredible test — an unknown assailant set fire to his car in his own yard under the cover of night
This incident was reported by the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office and social media, where the serviceman posted a photo of the burned vehicle and announced that it was set on fire specifically on his birthday. The story began on June 17, when Yevhen shared a photo of his damaged car on his Instagram profile, captioning: "The devils congratulated me on my birthday by burning my car in Kyiv." Even then, his supporters and concerned citizens started discussing this tragic news, as it’s not common for servicemen to become the focus of such a large-scale incident — especially considering that Gromadskyi was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine at the age of 21 for his merits in defending the country and his heroic service. Taking the events to a more serious level, law enforcement authorities announced the detention of the suspect involved in the arson by June 20. According to the investigation, the perpetrator is a Kyiv resident who moved from the temporarily occupied Crimea to the Ukrainian-controlled territory in 2021. His path in civilian life was complicated: after Russia launched its large-scale aggression against Ukraine, he was mobilized into the Armed Forces but later made an unauthorized demobilization, appeared again in military units, but eventually his military career was ended — he was discharged from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Over the past year, the suspect worked as a courier, but his motivation changed. Investigators believe he began contact with representatives of Russian special services. In June 2025, he was tasked with setting fire to a vehicle owned by a Ukrainian security personnel, with the aim of assisting Russian intelligence. According to the investigation, the suspect received specific orders from handlers in the Russian Federation. He took several photos of vehicles in his yard — including a Ford Ranger in camouflage colors — and sent these images for approval of his actions. That evening, after receiving the approval, the suspect poured flammable liquid on the car and set it on fire. To avoid recognition, he carefully changed into less conspicuous clothing beforehand. The apparent intent was not just vandalism, but carrying out an enemy plot by Russian спецслужби, aiming to destabilize the situation in Kyiv and endanger the lives of military personnel and civilians. The owner of the burned vehicle turned out to be Yevhen Hromadskyi, an officer of the National Guard of Ukraine and a Hero of Ukraine, who turned 25 on this day. His heroic path and significant achievements have been inscribed in the modern Ukrainian history for many years. During the arson, the suspect received orders from the masterminds — to make another step in their pseudo-war against Ukrainian defenders: a pistol was also handed over with unclear intentions, and discussions about carrying out even more heinous crimes — including assassinations of notable figures — took place. However, the investigation qualified this threat as intimidation and prevented the criminal from executing further actions. The criminal was detained and charged with arson under the applicable article of the criminal code. The court decided to keep him in custody without bail, in accordance with severe criminal sanctions. Under Ukrainian law, such a crime carries a sentence of 5 to 8 years in prison. Thus, law enforcement agencies react clearly and consistently to hostile acts and attempts to destabilize the situation in the capital and the country as a whole. This incident is a stark reminder of the real dangers faced by our heroes — defenders of Ukraine. Every day, they risk their lives for peace and security, while evil and treacherous tactics like setting cars on fire and intimidation continue in the shadows. It is essential for society to remain vigilant and support law enforcement in combating any forms of enemy aggression. Every effort and every arrest is a step toward our safety and a free nation.