Military from Odesa released from prison for selling weapons

A military man from Odesa was released from prison. He illegally stored and sold weapons and ammunition, for which he faced up to five years in prison.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Bilyaevsky District Court of Odesa Region.

In Odesa, the court considered the case of a serviceman who illegally stored and sold military weapons and explosives. He was found guilty but released from serving his sentence with a probationary period.

According to the case file, the man is a native of Odesa and a combatant. During his service in the Novobakhmutivka area of Donetsk region, he came across the remains of ammunition and decided to take them for himself. He brought the found items - RGD-5 and RGN grenade shells, fuses, plastic explosives, detonators and almost five meters of fire cord - home to Odesa.

Later, the man decided to sell part of the arsenal. In February 2024, he sold explosives and grenades to an acquaintance for UAH 6,500.

In addition, back in April 2023, he illegally appropriated a 5.45-millimeter Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle, two magazines, a bolt, and more than 60 live rounds. He also kept these weapons in his apartment, along with powder and sights.

Law enforcement officers found all this during a search on April 10, 2024. The ammunition, grenades, explosives and weapons were seized, some of them will be handed over to the Armed Forces, the rest will be destroyed.

At the trial, the accused pleaded guilty in full, confirmed all the circumstances of the case and stated that he regretted his actions. He asked the court to give him a chance to reform and continue serving in the army.

The court found him guilty of illegal possession and sale of weapons and explosives (Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and sentenced him to five years in prison. At the same time, taking into account his sincere repentance, positive characteristics and service at the front, the court released him from serving his sentence with a probationary period of three years.

During this time, he must regularly report to the probation office and inform them of any changes of residence or employment. If he does not violate the law in three years, his sentence will be considered served. In addition, the court ordered the man to reimburse the state for more than 15 thousand hryvnias for the examinations in the case.

At the end of October, law enforcement officers in Odesa region exposed three men who were engaged in the illegal sale of weapons - grenade launchers, assault rifles and ammunition. All the criminals were detained while trying to sell the weapons.

Анна Бальчінос