The Security Service of Ukraine detained three more "black gunsmiths" who wanted to sell Russian sniper weapons and grenade launchers to criminals. As a result of complex operations in Vinnytsya, Mykolayiv and Transcarpathian Regions, organisers of the illegal business were detained, SBU reported on Telegram.
The criminals tried to sell weapons and ammunition found in the de-occupied areas in the south and east of Ukraine to criminals. The seized items include a Russian tank machine gun, grenade launchers, sniper weapons and explosives.
In Vinnytsya Region, the SBU detained a dealer who prepared for sale an arsenal of "trophy" weapons and ammunition worth 3 million hryvnyas. It was established that the offender bought damaged samples of munitions through specialised online platforms, then restored their combat properties and looked for customers to sell them. It was documented that the offender tried to sell a Russian AK-12 and a Dragunov sniper rifle for almost 300,000 hryvnyas.
In Transcarpathian Region, the head of a local public organisation, was detained for keeping a Degtyaryov handgun with ammunition in the car of his friend. In addition to illegal possession of weapons, the suspect is allegedly involved in embezzlement of volunteer funds, which he collected allegedly for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The version that he staged an assassination attempt and a robbery of his own office to hide the "traces" of the crime is being considered.
In Mykolayiv region, SBU officers discovered another storage of munitions. The cache was arranged in a warehouse on the territory of a local garage co-operative. In the course of complex measures, the "owner" of the arsenal was identified. He was a local resident who brought weapons and ammunition from the sites of former battles in the region to the storage.
The detainees were served a notice of suspicion under Part 1 Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. They are in custody. The criminals face up to 7 years in prison. All seized munitions are to be transferred to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.