The SSU Military Counterintelligence and the National Police have prevented new attempts to illegally trade in weapons and ammunition in several regions of Ukraine.

17 dealers were detained for trying to sell munitions found at the sites of former battles to criminals.

The seized items include russian AK-12 assault rifles, explosives and flamethrowers, grenades and anti-tank mines.

In Zaporizhzhia, a repeat offender was detained who, after serving his time, tried to clandestinely sell over 11 kg of TNT and a Dzhmil flamethrower.

In Bukovyna, a criminal group that smuggled weapons from the former frontline territories and then sought customers to sell them was neutralized.

The detained suspects include two contract servicemen who illegally transported munitions to the western region.

In Volyn oblast, a 35-year-old local resident was caught in the act of trying to sell a Kalashnikov rifle.

The individual was hiding behind his volunteer activities to transport weapons from the frontline.

In Chernihiv region, a contract soldier of a local military unit was notified of suspicion: he was hiding ‘trophies’ in the wall of his house for further sale.

In Khmelnytskyi, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, four more local dealers were detained for selling combat grenades, anti-tank mines and small arms ammunition.

In Kyiv region, another military contract serviceman was apprehended. He was looking for customers to sell a large-calibre machine gun and a hand-held grenade launcher.

In Kharkiv region, the SSU exposed another seven clandestine arms dealers. An arsenal of russian assault rifles and combat grenades was seized from them.

The individuals involved have been notified of suspicion under Article 263.1 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives). They face up to 7 years in prison.

The operations were carried out under the procedural supervision of Prosecutor’s Offices.