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

Fifteen suspects have been apprehended for trying to sell ‘trophy’ munitions to criminals, having brought the arms from the frontline areas or former combat zones.

In Poltava region:

A local resident was uncovered: he set up a clandestine workshop in his yard to restore small arms, including sniper weapons, and trade in them.

A repeat offender was also detained in this region for planning to sell a batch of combat grenades.

Not to be identified by the law enforcement, he engaged a 17-year-old acquaintance who offered the goods to potential customers on his behalf.

The man had previously been prosecuted for arms and drug trafficking.

In Zakarpattia region:

Four arms dealers were detained. They acted separately from each other, three of them had previously served prison terms for theft and drug trafficking.

This time, they tried to sell over 1.5 kg of TNT with electric detonators, as well as military grenades and russian AK-12 assault rifles with ammunition, in different locations in the region.

In Kherson region:

A resident of Kirovohrad region was apprehended. He had come to the southern region to first buy and then sell anti-tank mines from the de-occupied areas.

In Bukovyna:

A demobilized soldier was detained for bringing ‘trophy’ weapons from the frontline. Another six individuals were exposed after they tried to organize a channel to sell weapons and explosives in the western region.

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

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

After the forensic examinations, all seized munitions will be handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Poltava, Kherson, Zakarpattia and Chernivtsi regions under the procedural supervision of regional prosecutors.