The Security Service and the National Police have thwarted new attempts to organise the illegal trade in ‘captured’ weapons and ammunition in several regions of Ukraine.

Four dealers have been detained for attempting to sell weapons illegally brought from frontline areas and combat zones.

Among the items seized from them are a russian Kalashnikov assault rifle, an anti-tank grenade launcher, nearly 30 F-1, RGD-5, and RGD-1 combat and smoke grenades, and 6,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibres.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, a serviceman, who had gone AWOL, was caught red-handed attempting to sell 15 hand-held fragmentation grenades and an AK-74 assault rifle with ammunition, all taken from combat zones.

Also in the region, a repeat offender, who already had a prior conviction for theft but committed a new crime while on probation, has been declared suspect.

According to the investigation, he attempted to sell a rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade launcher purchased on the dark web, as well as four RGD-type grenade bodies with their detonators.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a 34-year-old deserter was detained. He intended to secretly sell an arsenal of combat grenades and ammunition of various calibres, which he had been storing under his bed at home.

The suspect obtained the ‘trophy’ weapons while serving in the Kherson region and planned to sell them after deserting his unit.

A 26-year-old individual was also apprehended in the region. He was selling 90 artillery shells, a grenade, and 5,918 rounds of ammunition of various calibres online.

The arms trafficker planned to disassemble the weapons and send them to the buyer by mail.

The detainees have been notified of their status as suspects under Article 263.1 of the CCU (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosive substances).

The suspects face up to 7 years in prison.

The operations were carried out by the SSU under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.