SSU Uncovers Attempt to Sell Naval Artillery to Russia: Mykolaiv Businessman Detained

The Security Service of Ukraine detained a businessman from Mykolaiv who tried to illegally sell naval artillery belonging to the Defense Forces to Russia. The weapons amount to almost $1.5 million.

The offender received the artillery during the war and planned to take it abroad. In order to disguise the cargo, he hid the weapons in containers that looked like water heaters, the SSU shared in a statement.

He then wanted to transport the cargo to related companies in the EU and Asia, and from there to Russia. In order to carry out this, he signed fictitious contracts with foreign companies.

These were artillery systems of various types, including six-barrel AO-18 assault rifles for AK-630 artillery systems.

The SSU detained the businessman at the stage of preparation for export. During the searches, they seized artillery systems, spare parts for military boats and documents.

All seized weapons will be handed over to the Defense Forces. The entrepreneur was served a notice of suspicion under articles on preparation for arms smuggling. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

In 2017, Polish border guards at the Dorohusk checkpoint prevented an attempt to smuggle the components of the AK-630 naval artillery system from Ukraine to Poland.