The SSU, together with the National Police, prevented the illegal sale of weapons and ammunition in three regions of Ukraine.

As a result of complex measures in Kyiv, Donetsk and Dnipro regions, five organizers of illegal business were detained red-handed.

The offenders tried to sell to criminals the samples of munitions found at the sites of former combat engagements.

The seized items include russian Pechenih and Kord machine guns, AK-12 assault rifles, an arsenal of anti-tank grenade launchers and explosives.

In Kyiv region:

A representative of a volunteer formation of the Kyiv territorial community who was selling trophy weapons was detained.

The suspect was looking for potential customers on specialized Internet forums and through his own connections in criminal circles.

The offender used an abandoned unfinished building on the outskirts of Kyiv to store the munitions.

Law enforcement officers detained the offender on an attempt to illegally sell an AK-74 rifle and four combat grenades.

During the inspection of the cache and searches at the detainee's place of residence, additional items were seized:

• 4 kg of explosives with electric detonators;
• more than 20 grenade launchers;
• 16 combat grenades;
• 2 Kalashnikov assault rifles;
• 2 pistols, including Makarov systems;
• more than 2 thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers.

In Donetsk region:

Two more dealers who sold trophy weapons in the frontline areas of the region were detained.

One of the defendants was detained when he tried to receive $32,000 for the sale of an arsenal of munitions. Among them: large-caliber machine guns Utes and Kord, a Dragunov sniper rifle, and a Bassoon anti-tank missile system.

At the same time, another suspect was detained near the front line, who was "arranging" the sale of another batch of weapons.

In Dnipro:

A former member of the disbanded police force and his accomplice were detained for trying to clandestinely sell a russian large-caliber Pechenih machine gun and four Kalashnikov rifles.

All five detainees were served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

The criminals are in custody. They face up to 7 years in prison.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office, Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office and the Western District Prosecutor's Office of Dnipro city.