Attempts were made several times to smuggle weapons samples out of Ukraine, — State Bureau of Investigation

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has recorded three attempts to illegally move weapon samples across Ukraine's state border. This was stated by SBI Director Oleksiy Sukhachov during the presentation of the audit report on the Bureau's work, conducted by the Accounting Chamber in Kyiv on Thursday, 10 September, according to Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, these cases involve both service members and civilians. The agency pays particular attention to weapons that have military or technological significance. “We understand that there is trophy weapons, weapons provided under international technical assistance, and weapons that are on the balance sheet of the Armed Forces,” Sukhachov noted.

He added that individual parties may be interested in obtaining Ukrainian weapon samples for use in other armed conflicts. In three cases detected after 2022 year, law enforcement managed to stop the illicit movement of weapons. Suspects were detained directly during attempts to cross the state border. “This activity was stopped, the responsible individuals were detained,” the SBI director emphasized. Sukhachov also said that the Bureau coordinates work with Ukraine's Security Service counterintelligence, border guards, National Police, National Guard, and other components of the defense forces. The basis of this cooperation is operational information and joint actions to prevent and uncover crimes. For reference, a portion of domestic weaponry in the Ukrainian Armed Forces was named.