In Dnipropetrovsk region, the SSU has shut down an unlawful scheme of selling to russia strategically important components for water supply systems for critical and military infrastructure.

The entrepreneurs covertly transported to the aggressor state wholesale batches of pipeline valves (disc gate valves) regulating flow of liquids in engineering networks.

The russian customers needed these products to equip military bases and temporary deployment points of occupation groupings in russia and in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in 2022, the dealers illegally exported to russia several consignments of pipeline valves worth over UAH 2 mln (USD 53,000).

The director of a specialised enterprise in Dnipro and his subordinate were involved in organising the illegal selling.

After the full-scale invasion, they contacted their customers in russia and jointly developed a mechanism for clandestine export of sanctioned products to the aggressor.

To operate the scheme, they engaged several companies in the Middle East under their control, which purchased the goods from the Dnipro plant supposedly for their own needs. However, after receiving the Ukrainian equipment, they immediately shipped it to russia.

To disguise the transactions, the organisers entered false information in the reporting and financial documentation.

During the searches of the suspects’ production facilities and homes, the SSU found computers, mobile phones, accounting documents and draft records confirming the offence.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators served both individuals notices of suspicion under Article 28.2, 111-2 of the CCU (aiding the aggressor state committed by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy).

The suspects are in custody, facing up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing.

The corporate rights and bank accounts of the Dnipro-based company have been seized.

The investigation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.