The SSU and the National Police have prevented selling of weapons and ammunition to criminals in Ukraine’s three regions.

The seized items include over 60 kg of explosives, sniper weapons, large-calibre machine guns and latest russian-made assault rifles.

In Kharkiv region:

a local dealer who tried to sell an arsenal of munitions to criminals was detained ‘red-handed’.

The man kept the weapons in an underground cache, which he set up in a forest in the de-occupied Izium district.

During the search, the SSU found:

• several boxes of TNT and plastic explosive;
• a Dragunov sniper rifle;
• ammunition for grenade launchers and Fagot anti-tank missile system;
• over 13,000 rounds of various calibres.

According to the investigation, the man brought the weapons to the cache from a former base of russian troops during the battle for Kharkiv.

In Kyiv region:

The law enforcement uncovered several more hidden weapon arsenals, left by the occupiers when fleeing from Kyiv region. The first cache was located in an abandoned garage in one of the liberated villages in Bucha district.

During the inspection of the premises, a russian BRDM (armoured scout vehicle) with a large-calibre machine gun was found.

There were also over 150 rounds of ammunition for grenade launchers and 15 russian-made combat grenades in an underground cache nearby.

The investigation found that the hiding sites had been discovered by two individuals who then decided to sell the weapons to criminals.

In Dnipropetrovsk region:

A local resident was detained for trying to clandestinely sell a Kalashnikov handgun. The man was looking for potential customers in criminal circles.

The suspect was also intending to sell other weapons. During the search of his apartment and minivan, the law enforcement found:

• 2 AK-74 assault rifles;
• 4 combat grenades and over 1,300 rounds of ammunition of assorted calibre.

The persons involved have been served notices of suspicion under Article 263 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives). The suspects face up to 7 years in prison.

After the procedural actions within the investigations, all seized munitions will be handed over to the AFU.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Kyiv and Kyiv region, Kharkiv and Dnipro regions under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.