Senior soldier in Ivano-Frankivsk region to face trial over Kalashnikov rifle sales

Conclusion of investigation and referral of materials to court

Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have completed their work on the criminal proceedings against a senior soldier from a military unit stationed in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. The case materials, concerning the illegal handling of weapons and ammunition, have already been sent to court for review.

Procedural oversight in this case was exercised by the Ivano-Frankivsk Specialised Prosecutor's Office in the Defence Sector of the Western Region.

Details of illegal storage and sale of armaments

The pre-trial investigation established that the serviceman held two Kalashnikov rifles and ten F-1 grenades fitted with detonators without proper legal grounds. He subsequently sold this arsenal to civilians. The total amount the man received from the buyers was 4,000 US dollars.

The serviceman was detained in June 2026.

Attempt to sell stolen drone

During the investigation of this incident, law enforcement officers uncovered an additional episode. It emerged that the suspect had attempted to sell a military quadcopter that had been stolen in another region. The market value of this drone was estimated at approximately 300,000 hryvnia, but the serviceman offered it for sale for 150,000 hryvnia.

The circumstances of the drone theft and the attempt to sell it are being investigated separately. These materials have been separated into an independent criminal case and transferred to another territorial department of the SBI in accordance with jurisdictional rules.

Criminal Code article and potential punishment

The senior soldier is charged with violating the requirements of legislation on the circulation of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices, as stipulated in Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. If found guilty in court, the man faces a sentence of up to seven years in prison.

Context and other cases

In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent until their guilt is proven in the manner established by law and confirmed by a guilty verdict of the court.

Previously, within the framework of the "Stop Traffic" special operation, SBI officers notified three servicemen in the Rivne and Zhytomyr regions of suspicion. In those cases as well, the charges involved the illegal handling of weapons and ammunition, as well as the loss of military property.