The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have prevented illegal sale of trophy weapons and ammunition in four regions of Ukraine.

The operation resulted in almost simultaneous detention of 15 suspects who tried to organize illegal trade in weapons.

Among the items seized from the perpetrators are russian Kalashnikov rifles with an under-barrel grenade launcher ‘Kostyor’, a batch of fragmentation grenades and explosives.

In Kyiv region, a 31-year-old local resident and four of his accomplices were detained for selling ‘trophy’ weapons taken from former combat areas on the eastern front.

After transporting the arsenals to Kyiv region, they personally restored the munitions for sale through connections in criminal circles.

Also in Kyiv region, another two criminal groups were neutralized. They were trying to clandestinely sell a Kalashnikov machine gun, an RPG-7V hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher with shells and ammunition of various calibres.

In Odesa, another dealer, who wanted to sell improvised explosive devices and combat grenades, was detained red-handed.

Almost 1 kg of TNT, homemade explosives and a batch of F-1 and RGD grenades were seized from him at the scene.

In Chernihiv, the law enforcement detained three members of a criminal group who were looking for customers to sell automatic weapons and explosives.

In Lutsk, a local resident was apprehended for an attempt to sell combat grenades to criminals. The man intended to cover his tracks and demanded payment through anonymous transfer systems.

The detainees have been notified of suspicion under Article 263 of the CCU (illegal handling of firearms, ammunition or explosives).

The suspects are in custody and face up to 7 years in prison.

The operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as Malynovskyi District Prosecutor’s Office of Odesa and Chernihiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.