Kyiv resident selling trophy weapons from the front via mail: details of the scheme

Uncovering illegal firearms trafficking

According to Главком: Law enforcement in the capital uncovered a 42-year-old Kyiv resident involved in the illegal sale of firearms found in a combat zone. According to information, the man was seeking clients through the internet, sending weapons, including rifles and submachine guns, via regular mail. His wife also participated in the criminal activity by taking packages to the post office.

Details of the case

Documented cases included the sale of a submachine gun and a rifle, with sale amounts ranging from 7 to 18 thousand hryvnias per unit. The discovered weapons are trophy items. Law enforcement reported the man suspected under part 1 of article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which prescribes a penalty of up to seven years of imprisonment.

As of April 2026, over one million units of firearms and special devices are officially registered in Ukraine. At the same time, no cases of crimes committed with weapons issued to civilians at the beginning of the full-scale invasion have been recorded. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement continues to take measures to combat illegal arms trafficking.

This case underscores the complexity of the illegal arms trade problem in Ukraine, especially in conditions where a large number of firearms are in civilian hands.

Despite the low number of crimes involving legally issued weapons, the situation with illegal sales of trophy weapons may pose a threat to public safety. Law enforcement continues active efforts to detect and halt such crimes, indicating the seriousness of their efforts in combating criminal manifestations in this area.

While law enforcement continues to uncover illegal arms trafficking schemes, similar cases, such as the sale of grenades and rounds in the Bilotserkivskyi district, demonstrate the scale of this problem. This indicates the need for enhanced control and preventive measures by the state to ensure citizens' safety.