The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has dismantled an operation supporting Russia in the Dnipropetrovsk region, in which a Ukrainian building materials company was key in the supply of metal products intended for the construction of nuclear laboratories in Russia.
According to the investigation, the owner of the Ukrainian company organized the large scale stainless steel profiles shipment to Russiawhere they were used to equip facilities of the Russian Nuclear Research Institute, which develops missile projects with nuclear warheads.
“After the start of the large-scale war, the plant transported a large-scale batch of finished stainless steel profiles to Russia. The occupiers used Ukrainian metal products to equip the office premises of the Russian Nuclear Research Institute. On this basis, the adversary develops projects for new models of missiles with nuclear warheads“, .
Shipments through the Middle East to evade controls
Those involved in the operation They tried to hide cross-border deliveries through a complex re-export scheme: “First they sent the goods to a controlled company in the Middle East and from there They re-exported them to Russian clients“. This network allowed the materials to reach their destination without being detected by the Ukrainian authorities.
“According to the investigation, the financial records of both companies were run by the chief accountant of the Ukrainian company“says the SSU, which, during a series of searches at the company’s facilities and at the suspects’ homes, seized mobile phones, computer equipment and key documentation which proved the participation of those involved in the benefit of Russia.
The evidence obtained during these operations demonstrated the direct involvement of the owner of the company and his subordinates in illegal activities in favor of the aggressor state.
Charges and penalties for those responsible
As a result of the investigation, the SSU notified the owner of the company and three of his subordinates that a lawsuit had been opened against them. file under article 111-2.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for “aid to the aggressor state”. Suspects could face a sentence of up to 12 years in prisonin addition to the confiscation of property related to the crime. The decision on preventive detention is pending.
The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Attorney General’s Officeand is part of the SSU’s ongoing efforts to dismantle networks supporting Russian military activities during the war in Ukraine.
