Serviceman in Donetsk Region caught trying to sell weapons and more than 500 drones found in his possession - SBI
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) exposed the commander of a platoon of one of the military units deployed in the Donetsk Region in the illegal sale of weapons, in particular a portable anti-aircraft missile system and two machine guns. This is stated in the SBI report.
According to law enforcement officers, the serviceman decided to make money by selling weapons and ammunition. In November 2025, he found a "client" through a messenger and exchanged the illegally purchased MANPADS for an unmanned aerial vehicle for its further resale.
After that, in January, the intruder tried to sell two more machine guns for UAH 175,000, but SBI employees detained him during an attempt to sell.
During the investigative actions, the Bureau employees seized the illegally sold weapons. Currently, measures are being taken to transfer MANPADS and two machine guns to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In addition, at the place of residence of the defendant, SBI officers discovered and seized 549 drones, 277 batteries for them and other special equipment, over 80 kg of explosives, almost 2,500 electric detonators, as well as a mobile phone, a laptop and USD 74,000.
The serviceman was served with suspicion of carrying, purchasing and selling firearms and ammunition without a permit provided for by law - under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The sanction of the article provides for up to 7 years of imprisonment.
Law enforcement officers are currently establishing the origin of the seized drones, weapons, and ammunition, in particular for possible theft from a military unit or writing off military property allegedly lost during hostilities.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the commander of a military unit in the Donetsk Region was detained for embezzling state funds for drones and sights.