Together with the National Police, the SSU has shut down another two channels of illicit trade in arms and ammunition in Rivne and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts.

As a result of the operations, the law enforcement apprehended two dealers who attempted to sell weapons to criminals.

The seized items include a detonating cord with explosives, anti-tank weapons, combat grenades and russian-made Kalashnikov rifles.

In Rivne region:

a trader in ‘trophy’ weapons, which he received through his connections from former battlefields in the liberated areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, was detained.

The man stored the obtained russian munitions at his home and delivered the ‘goods’ to potential buyers in his car.

The items seized during the searches are:

• an AK-12 Kalashnikov assault rifle;
• 4 F-1, ‘RGO’ and ‘RGN’ grenades;
• over 500 rounds of ammunition for small arms.

In Prykarpattia region:

The SSU uncovered another arms dealer, a resident of Kolomyia, who tried to sell three AK-74 rifles and a Stechkin pistol with ammunition to criminals.

During the searches, the law enforcement also found almost 50 metres of detonating cord with explosives, combat grenades, silencers for small arms and armour-piercing ammunition.

The arsenal was stored in a cache in an unfinished building near a private house of the suspect’s relative.

Both perpetrators have been notified of suspicion under Article 263.1 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives) and are in custody.

The investigations are ongoing. The suspects face up to 7 years in prison.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Rivne and Ivano-Frankivsk regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.