The collaboration between the Security Service and the National Police has successfully thwarted new attempts to illegally sell arms and ammunition across several regions of Ukraine.
Among the seized items are Russian grenade launchers, Kalashnikov rifles, and homemade explosive devices (HEDs).
In the Kherson region, a 58-year-old man was caught red-handed trying to sell a trophy RPG-26 anti-tank grenade.
According to the case materials, the perpetrator stored the weapons under his bed at home. During the search of the hideout, the following was discovered:
- casings of RGO, RG-42, F-1, RGMD-5 grenades with fuses;
- five TNT blocks;
- over 200 rounds of various calibers for automatic weapons.
The investigation revealed that the weapons were found by the suspect at former locations of enemy troops during the occupation of the region.
In the Chernihiv region, a 48-year-old local man was arrested for making homemade explosives and disguising them as fire extinguishers.
He had set up a clandestine «workshop» on his property. During the search, ready-made HEDs, explosive materials, and other components for bomb-making were found.
In the Rivne region, a jobless man was suspected of attempting to sell an AK-47 and two magazines, which he had acquired from acquaintances in the front-line areas. He stored the weapon in a pit he dug in the woods near his home.
During the search, 9 artillery shells and 4 grenades were seized, one of which was for a grenade launcher.
In the Cherkasy region, a former military serviceman was arrested for attempting to sell an AK-74 equipped with a magazine and a silencer, along with over 50 rounds of 5.45 mm ammunition.
All those arrested have been notified of suspicion under part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, military supplies, or explosive materials).
The offenders face up to 7 years in prison.
The operations were conducted by the SBU employees in the Kherson, Chernihiv, Rivne, and Cherkasy regions in cooperation with the National Police and under the procedural guidance of the Zvenigorod, Dubno district prosecutors, and the specialized military prosecutor's office of the Central region and the Kherson regional prosecutor's office.
