The SSU Counterintelligence has exposed a large-scale theft of spare parts and components for military armored vehicles at a military unit in Khmelnytskyi region. In a special period, lack of such components could cause damage to defence capabilities of our country.

According to the investigation, a contractor together with his father organized the theft of components for armored vehicles. The serviceman transported the stolen items in his car or handed them over the fence to his father. The thieves kept the stolen items in a garage with intent to sell.

The law enforcement conducted 12 searches. Dozens of components and parts for military armored vehicles were found and seized including:

• night vision devices;
• turret hydraulic boosters;
• generators;
• periscopes;
• optical devices;
• fire control equipment;
• blackout kits, etc.

According to preliminary estimates, the total value of the stolen property is about UAH 1 mln (USD 37,000).

Within the pre-trial investigation, both perpetrators have been notified of suspicion.

The criminal proceedings were opened under Article 410.3 (theft, misappropriation, extortion of weapons, ammunition, explosives or other weapons, vehicles, military and special equipment or other military property, their acquisition by fraud or abuse of office, committed by a military serviceman) of the CCU.

The SSU Office in Khmelnytskyi region carried out the operation in coordination with the Counterintelligence Department, together with the SBI and under the supervision of Khmelnytskyi Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the Military and Defence Spheres of the Western Region.