SBU exposed a businessman who wanted to sell naval artillery to the Russians

The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed a businessman who tried to sell naval artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces to the Russian Federation, the SSU said in a statement.

It is noted that the department prevented the export from Ukraine of critically important components for ship artillery installations of various types: from six-barreled AO-18 machine guns to universal AK-176M installations worth almost $1.5 million.

Such weapons are used on warships to destroy high-speed targets at short distances, including drones and cruise missiles. The SSU emphasized that the case involves a Mykolaiv businessman who illegally acquired the relevant weapons during a full-scale war.

To hide it, the businessman placed the weapons in special containers that look like water boilers from the outside. They were planned to be taken to affiliated enterprises in the EU and Southeast Asia, and from there to the aggressor country. According to the Security Service, the businessman concluded fictitious contracts with controlled foreign companies.

During the search of warehouses and offices, the following materials were seized:

· artillery installations in containers;

· additional components for military boats;

· agreements with foreign companies.

All weapons will be transferred to the needs of the Defense Forces, and the attacker is already in custody. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing.

It was previously reported that one of the brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was exposed for embezzlement of funds for the purchase of drones. In one of the episodes alone, almost 2 million UAH was involved.