The SBU blocked large-scale underground production of rounds in Kyiv city.

It was established that two Kyiv residents organized the illegal business. The offenders rented a workshop, equipped it with special equipment. There they stored components and produced rounds. The accomplices searched for clients on specialized Internet websites and social networks, and afterwards sent the ammunition by mail.

Allegedly, the criminals produced up to 10,000 rounds every day. Despite unauthorized labeling, rounds were unregulated.

During searches of the offenders’ workshop and residences, the law enforcement seized 137 kg of gunpowder, more than 20 thousand rounds, 131 containers with bullets, 50 thousand primers, 2 rifles, documents and a laptop with customer database. The workshop was equipped with 9 machines, electric furnaces and other machinery. The seized inventory was forwarded to experts.   

Within criminal proceedings initiated for unlawful handling of ammunition, two offenders were detained under Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted jointly with investigators of the Kyiv National Police Department under the legal supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.