The SBU exposed, documented and blocked a large-scale supply of goods worth over UAH 300 m. (USD 10, 714,286) from the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Luhansk region. A group of businessmen smuggled goods to Ukrainian industrial enterprises via Russia.

The operatives established that during 2017-2020, the offenders set up illegal scheme to supply manufactured goods from the production facilities located in the TOT of Luhansk region to the Ukrainian metallurgical and engineering companies. They smuggled goods through the uncontrolled areas of Ukraine-Russia border. In Russia, the smugglers exchanged and forged customs documents to supply goods into Ukraine under the guise of Russian brands.

The SBU officers documented that the organizers transferred the received funds in cash via a number of shell companies. Another part of money was transferred to the Russian-held territories and used to finance the so-called LNR authorities and IAF members. During the investigation, SBU operatives detained a truck with goods at customs. Allegedly, the customs clearance of goods was conducted on the basis of forged documents and certificates of origin.

Law enforcement officers conducted several searches of the places of registration and actual location of enterprises in Zaporizzhia, Kharkiv, Donetsk regions and the city of Kyiv. As a result, SBU officers seized computers, accounting and business documents proving illegal activities. Moreover, the investigators found more than UAH 2.5 m. (USD 89,286) in cash and counterfeit goods amounting to UAH 10 m. (USD 357,143).

The criminal proceedings were initiated upon the fact of financing of actions committed for the purpose of forcible change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power and changing borders of Ukraine’s territory or state border. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The issue of bringing to justice the organizers and other involved persons is being resolved.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Directorate for Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Interests in the field of Economic Security jointly with the SBU Office in Zaporizzhia region, the SBU Office in Kharkiv region and the SBU Main Directorate in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under supervision of the Zaporizzhia Region Prosecutor's Office.