The SSU is counteracting to illicit trafficking in weapons. In Chernihiv region, the SSU has uncovered a hidden arsenal of unregistered firearms.

The seized items include a light machine gun and foreign-made rifles with silencers.

The weapons were found at two private hunting bases located near the border with Russia and Belarus.

During the searches at the locations and homes of the administrators of the bases, law enforcement seized:

• 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine gun,
• 4 foreign-made rifles with optical sights, silencers and thermal imagers,
• Makarov pistol,
• a revolver,
• 400 rounds of assorted ammunition,
• a smoke grenade.

Over 400 lock-picks were stored with the weapons.

The munitions and other seized items were sent for forensic examination.

Criminal proceedings were opened under Article 263 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of illegal activity and bring culprits to justice.

The SSU Office in Chernihiv region carried out the operation jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office.