The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have prevented new attempts to organize illegal trade in weapons and ammunition in several regions of Ukraine.

As a result of operations in Zhytomyr, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions, five suspects have been apprehended.

In Zhytomyr region:

The law enforcement detained two local residents who were selling ‘trophy’ munitions that had been smuggled out of combat areas in Donetsk region.

One of the perpetrators is a 41-year-old repeat offender. In 2022, he received a suspended sentence for illicit sale of firearms, but later continued his illegal activity.

Using personal connections among criminals, the pair looked for potential clients among former prisoners.

According to the investigation, the weapons were kept in a specially set up created cache in a garage. The items seized during searches include:

• over 1 kg of explosives with fuses;
• RGD-5 and F-1 combat grenades;
• over 500 rounds of ammunition of various calibres.

In Cherkasy region:

A 30-year-old deserter was served a notice of suspicion for taking weapons and ammunition from the military unit where he had served. These included five combat grenades, a Kalashnikov rifle with ammunition and two silencers.

The man hid the munitions in his parents’ private house, where he was staying, looking for ‘buyers’.

In Kropyvnytskyi:

Another two deserters were detained after they tried to sell five anti-tank grenade launchers and eleven F-1 grenades to criminals. Two combat pistols, a machine gun, an anti-personnel mine and explosives were also seized during the searches.

The individuals involved have been notified of suspicion under Article 263.1 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

The suspects face up to 7 years in prison.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Zhytomyr, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Offices.