The SSU jointly with the National Police prevented attempts to sell weapons to criminals in the frontline areas of Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts.

As a result of the operations, the law enforcement detained 5 dealers who were clandestinely selling trophy weapons and ammunition.

The items seized include russian AK-12 assault rifles, sniper rifles, anti-tank grenade launchers and explosives.

In Donetsk region:

a criminal group consisting of four residents of Dnipropertovsk region has been dismantled. They were selling munitions taken from former combat areas near the frontline.

The SSU apprehended the suspects ‘red-handed’ when they tried to sell two RPG-22 anti-tank grenades.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes, the investigators seized an arsenal of combat grenades, Kalashnikov rifles and grenade launchers.

Based on the SSU’s investigation, the detainees have been notified of suspicion under Articles 28.2 and 263.1 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives, committed by a group).

In Kharkiv region:

The SSU Military Counterintelligence uncovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition on the territory of a private household. The site included an underground workshop for repairing and restoring damaged munitions.

According to the investigation, the cache and the clandestine workshop were set up by the owner of the apartment, who is a driver in a local military unit.

He planned to sell the repaired weapons on the Darknet to customers from criminal circles.

During the search of the perpetrator’s home, the SSU seized:

• 3 kg of plastic explosive;
• over 100 combat grenades;
• 10 anti-tank, mortar and anti-personnel mines;
• a Kalashnikov handgun;
• a Dragunov sniper rifle;
• 2 Metis anti-tank missile systems;
• a flamethrower;
• over 10,000 rounds of ammunition of different calibers.

The investigations to bring the involved to justice are underway.

All seized weapons and ammunition will be handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The operations were carried out jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Defence Prosecutor’s Office in the Eastern Region.