Ukrainian law enforcement agencies began conducting 1,000 raids around the country on Thursday to combat the illicit sale of firearms and ammunition, according to police.
The growth of guns in the conflict-torn country since Russia’s incursion in early 2022 has sparked fears about weapons smuggling both within Ukraine and among its Western-backed allies.
“The main goal is to shut down sales and storage channels as well as to seize trophy weapons” seized from Russian servicemen, as well as “ammunition and explosives from illicit trafficking,” the national police force stated in a social media post.
The statement claimed the ringleaders might face up to seven years in jail, and that further information about the investigation will be disclosed later.
The force also issued a video showing heavily armed police preparing to break down a door, seizing ammunition and cash.
The searches are the latest move by law authorities to combat the unlawful circulation of guns in the nation.
In September of last year, police said they disrupted an illegal arms smuggling operation in the Kyiv region, capturing over 40,000 euros in firearms and ammo.
