Semenchenko Semen Ihorovych

People's Deputy of the 8th convocation from "Samopomich", commander of the Donbas Battalion

Real name — Kostyantyn Hrishyn; changed his name to Semen Semenchenko. People's Deputy of the 8th convocation from "Samopomich" (2014–2019). Commander of the volunteer Donbas Battalion, Hero of Ukraine (2014). Participant in the battles near Ilovaisk, where he was wounded. In 2018, together with other former Donbas fighters, he founded the Donbass Battalion Corporation in the USA, attempting to secure security contracts in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq — unsuccessfully. After that, he created "Doncorp Ukraine LLC" and conducted PMC activities in Ukraine.

Arrest, pre-trial detention, house arrest — and Budanov's petition to release him to the front

On March 24, 2021, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) terminated the PMC's activities and notified Semenchenko of suspicion under Article 260 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal armed formation) and in connection with the 2019 grenade launcher attack on the "112 Ukraine" TV channel building. The court sent him to Lukianivska pre-trial detention center without bail. On September 29, 2021, the investigation concerning nine individuals was completed. On June 21, 2022, the appellate court changed his preventive measure to house arrest — after Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov twice addressed the court with letters vouching for Semenchenko and requesting his release to fight, highlighting his "high organizational qualities" and successful defense command experience.