Ukrainian police bust arms smuggling network linked to Denis Pushilin
According to investigators, the weapons were either stolen from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or illegally imported from Slovakia (Photo: Ukrainian National Police)
Ukrainian law enforcement officers have shut down an arms smuggling network linked to the leader of the so-called Donetsk People Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, the Ukrainian National Police announced on April 28.
The bust was part of operation ‘Black Casing’. Pushilin used the network to smuggle weapons to give as “gifts” to controversial political figures and Russian propagandists.
According to the police, among the recipients of these “people’s” weapons were such stellar figures like Kim Jong-un, former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Deputy Chair of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov, and a number of Russian propagandists.
The weapons were either stolen from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories or illegally imported from Slovakia, the police said.
Glock pistols were smuggled from Slovakia and converted into fully functional weapons. They were then sold to criminals, smuggled to militant groups, or sent as “gifts” to individuals who were not certified to carry firearms.
Investigators uncovered the network, its perpetrators, and its supply routes back in January 2026. Ukrainian individuals involved in the trafficking operation were detained at the Polish border while attempting to smuggle illegal firearms. They were indicted in Polish courts.
Police investigators have filed charges against Denis Pushilin on suspicion of war crimes (Part 1 of Article 438 of the criminal code of Ukraine).
In April, the National Police and Security Service of Ukraine commenced the second phase of the special operation, conducting more than 30 simultaneous raids in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Zakarpattya Oblast, and Sumy Oblast.
The following was seized from the perpetrators:
- More than 90 firearms, including automatic rifles, machine guns, pistols, and submachine guns
- High-caliber sniper rifles
- At least seven grenade launchers and anti-tank weapons
- Dozens of grenades, fuses, and detonators
- TM-62M anti-tank mines
- 30 mm artillery shells
- A Tiger armored vehicle
The police also seized counterfeit documents, seals, ID cards, and equipment and data storage devices used to cover up the network’s activities and organize logistics.
The perpetrators hid the weapons in garages, residential buildings, vehicles, and caches.
Expert examination will determine whether new charges need to be filed. Europol’s Weapons & Explosives Analytical Project is also involved in the investigation.
Operation Black Casing remains in full effect across multiple fronts: from shutting down supply chains and neutralizing weapon caches, to coordinating international efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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