The SSU has enhanced efforts to protect the defence potential of our state. As a result of an operation in Kyiv, the SSU dismantled a scheme of illegal sale of protective clothing imported from abroad as humanitarian aid for Ukrainian military.

The fraudsters tried to illegally sell almost 2,000 plates for bulletproof vests, helmets and other military ammunition worth the total of UAH 8 mln (USD 220,000).

120,000 unregistered cartridges for firearms prepared for sale were also seized from the suspects.

According to the investigation, the unlawful activity was organized by a head of a chain of specialized stores selling military equipment and a director of a commercial entity in Kyiv. The participants of the scheme brought to Ukraine and carried out customs clearance of a wholesale batch of protective clothing supposedly for the needs of the National Guard of Ukraine.

After that, they delivered these goods to their warehouses and illegally sold them through a controlled retail network.

As part of criminal proceedings, the investigators searched the suspects’ offices and warehouses. The seized military equipment will be handed over to Ukrainian defenders.

Both organizers have been notified of suspicion of committing a crime. The court is to decide if they will be kept in custody.

The pre-trial investigation is underway to bring to justice all those involved in stealing property of Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The operation was carried out by the SSU’s Main Directorate for Countering Internal Threats to State Administration together with the SBI under the procedural supervision of Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.