The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the National Police have prevented new attempts at the illegal sale of weapons and ammunition in various regions of Ukraine.
As a result of comprehensive operations in the Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad regions, five individuals were caught red-handed while attempting to establish an underground arms trade.
In Zhytomyr region:
Two local residents were detained for trading "trophy" weapons, which they had secretly smuggled from the combat zones in Donetsk region. Among the detainees was a 41-year-old repeat offender who had received a suspended sentence in 2022 for the illegal sale of firearms but had continued his illicit business.
Using personal connections in criminal circles, the suspects sought potential clients from among former prisoners.
According to the case materials, the perpetrators stored the "goods" in a specially created cache in a garage. During its search, the following was seized:
- Over 1 kg of explosives with detonators
- RGD-5 and F-1 hand grenades
- More than 500 rounds of ammunition of various calibers
In Cherkasy region:
A 30-year-old deserter was suspected of taking weapons and ammunition from a military unit where he had been serving. He had taken five hand grenades, an AK-47 with ammunition, and two silencers.
He hid these weapons at his parents' private home, where he was hiding and simultaneously searching for "buyers."
In Kropyvnytskyi:
Two more deserters were detained while trying to sell five anti-tank grenade launchers and 11 F-1 grenades to criminals. Additionally, during searches of the detainees, two combat pistols, a machine gun, an anti-personnel mine, and explosives were seized.
The detainees have been informed of the suspicion under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives).
The perpetrators face up to 7 years in prison.
The comprehensive operation was carried out by SSU officers in the Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad regions, together with the National Police, under the procedural supervision of the Zhytomyr and Smila district prosecutors, as well as the Kropyvnytskyi specialized prosecutor’s office for the defense sector of the Southern region.
