The SSU is systemically combating organized crime that threatens Ukraine’s state security amid the ongoing war. As a result of a special operation in Kirovohrad and Odesa oblasts, the SSU neutralized a criminal group that terrorized and intimidated residents of the southern regions.

The criminals robbed locals and extorted money, cars and real estate from them.

If people refused to pay the ‘tribute’, the gangsters threatened to kidnap the victims, kill them and their relatives.

The investigation documented the suspects create an artificial conflict with a resident of Odesa region, who was then forced to ‘transfer’ his apartment to one of the racketeers.

The members of the gang were also selling weapons and ammunition left by russian occupiers on the sites of active warfare.

They were looking for clients through their connections in criminal circles.

The SSU apprehended the head of the crime ring and three of its members ‘red-handed’ – when they were trying to sell a Kalashnikov rifle and a large-calibre machine gun, hoping to get USD 5,500 for the weapons.

According to the investigation, the gang was organized by a resident of Odesa oblast, previously convicted of serious crimes.

During the attacks on citizens, the perpetrators acted with extreme cruelty and used violence against the victims.

Further, they planned to gradually spread their criminal influence to other regions of Ukraine.

Based on the collected evidence, SSU investigators notified the detainees of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 15.2, 27.2, 27.3, 28.3, 189.4 (extortion committed by an organized group under martial law);
• 262.3 (stealing, misappropriation, extortion of firearms, ammunition, explosives or obtaining them by fraud or through abuse of office);
• 263.1 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives).

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

The operation was conducted by the SSU Office in Kirovohrad region under the procedural supervision of Kropyvnytskyi Specialized Defence Prosecutor’s Office of the Southern Region.