The SSU Counterintelligence Department continues to take steps to prevent and neutralize threats to the defence capabilities of our state. In an operation in Zhytomyr region, the Service uncovered theft of devices and components for anti-aircraft weapons. Such systems ensure air defence of Ukraine.

The SSU established the location of a storage facility where the thieves kept stolen items.

During the search of the site, the SSU identified several tons of components subject to state export control. The value of the seized military goods is dozens of millions of UAH.

According to the investigation, the suspects appropriated the components during their repair at one of the defence entities.

Then, they took the stolen items to a rented storage facility in Zhytomyr district.

During the search of the storage location, almost 60 components for anti-aircraft missile systems, including control units, were found.

The seized items were sent for forensic examination.

The investigation is ongoing within the criminal proceedings opened by the SSU under Article 410.3 (theft, misappropriation, extortion of weapons, ammunition, explosives, vehicles, military and special equipment or other property, as well as their acquisition by fraud or abuse of office, by a military serviceman) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The SSU Office in Zhytomyr region carried out the operation in coordination with the SSU Counterintelligence Department and under the supervision of Zhytomyr Military Specialized Prosecutor’s Office of the Central Region.