The SBU exposed and blocked illegal activity of the so-called private military company. The IAF was involved in commission of serious crimes. It also took part in crimes against foundations of national security.

According to the SBU, the “company” consisted of more than 150 people. The organization itself operated under the guise of security firms and civilian institutions.

Training of the IAF members took place at a specially equipped training base in Kyiv region. There were combat training and training in handling weapons. Some members of the “military company” also studied at training centers abroad.

15 Ukrainian citizens conducted control and coordination of the activities of the criminal organization. In particular, they recruited potential participants, giving preference to former military and law enforcement officers with experience in combat operations.

Also, the investigators exposed the IAF on concluding contracts with representatives of various organizations in the Middle East. There were also proposals to organize arms supplies to these countries.

According to the SBU Main Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region, the former People’s Deputy of Ukraine Semyon Semenchenko and Yevhen Shevchenko, known to the general public as a “NABU non-staff agent” are among the organizers of the IAF.

Allegedly, Semyon Semenchenko and Yevhen Shevchenko also organized and took part in an illegal scheme of import military spare parts and dual-use goods from Russia from customs control. The goods were later sold to state-owned defense companies at inflated prices.

These offenders and other organizers were served a notice of unlawful creation of paramilitary or armed formation. A type of detention is being chosen.

The SBU officers conducted about 80 searches of the offenders’ officers, residences and in city of Kyiv, Kyiv and Donetsk regions.

The law enforcement seized:

• almost 5.5 thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers;
• 7 rocket-propelled launchers RPG-26;
• 4 grenade launchers;
• Kalashnikov machine gun;
• 2 automatic rifles;
• 3 pistols and 3 Kalashnikov rifles AKS and AKS-74;
• 7 pump-action rifles;
• 38 grenade launchers VOG-25, 21 grenades (including F-1 and RGD-5);
• 16 UZRGM fuses,  6 TNT-blocks and plastids;
• Secure phone line;
• etc.

Financial documents and draft records on the organizational structure of the IAF, personal files of members were also seized.

The operation was cconducted by the SBU under supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Note:

According to Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proved in a lawful manner and established by a court conviction.