Mykolaiv Resident Gets 3-Year Probation for Illegal Weapon Possession

A resident of Mykolaiv region was sentenced to three years' probation for possession of weapons found after the de-occupation. The court took into account his repentance, volunteer work and assistance to the Armed Forces, and set a probationary period of one year.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Zhovtnevyi District Court of Mykolaiv Oblast.

According to the case, a native of the village of Kostiantynivka found a weapon in a field after the de-occupation and kept it at home. The man was found guilty of illegal possession of ammunition and weapons.

In court, the defendant pleaded guilty and explained that he was engaged in agriculture and found the arsenal during an inspection of the field after the occupiers retreated on March 20, 2023. During the search, law enforcement officers seized the weapons.

Among the items found were 56 rounds of ammunition, two RPG-26 grenades, a hand-held anti-tank flamethrower, and an RSHG-1 grenade. The man admitted that he knew it was illegal to keep the weapons, but took them home allegedly to protect his family.

The defendant also noted that he had helped the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the occupation by passing on the coordinates of enemy equipment and was now volunteering.

The court took into account his sincere remorse, positive characteristics, assistance in the investigation, support for his father with a disability and the absence of aggravating circumstances.

The man was sentenced to three years in prison, but Article 75 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine was applied and he was released from punishment on the condition that he would not commit a new crime within a year. He was also obliged to report to the probation office and inform them of any change of place of residence or work.

Separately, the court charged him UAH 1434 for the examination. The seized weapons and ammunition will be transferred to a military unit in Mykolaiv region.

In early April, law enforcement officers received information that a resident of Pervomaiskyi district was storing weapons and ammunition with the intention of selling them. The investigation revealed an illegal arsenal in his house. As part of the investigation, a controlled purchase was organized, during which the man handed over a Kalashnikov tank machine gun and a large amount of ammunition to the buyer.

In late February, law enforcement officers detained a man suspected of selling weapons and ammunition in Mykolaiv region. A grenade, an assault rifle and more than 750 rounds of ammunition were seized from him. The detention took place immediately after the sale of the grenade. The offender was a 28-year-old local resident. A fuze and an RGD-5 grenade body were found at the scene, as well as the money received from the sale.

Анна Бальчінос