A criminal gang has been uncovered in Zaporizhzhia in connection with the theft of property worth nearly 2 million hryvnias
A local businessman reported to the police that professional refrigeration equipment had been stolen from a warehouse in Zaporizhzhia. The value of the stolen property amounts to over 1.7 million hryvnias.
According to the investigation, the offence took place in March 2026. Law enforcement officers have identified individuals who may have been involved in the theft. According to the case file, the organised criminal group comprised 13 people, including a local criminal figure.
As part of the investigation, detectives from the National Police’s Main Investigation Directorate carried out authorised searches of the suspects’ homes, their places of work and the warehouses. At one of the warehouses, law enforcement officers discovered and seized the stolen refrigeration equipment.
During the searches, they also seized 12 pistols, 6 assault rifles, 10 hunting rifles, 4 grenades, a significant quantity of ammunition, 1.6 million hryvnias, over 200,000 US dollars and 3,000 euros in cash.
Three members of the group have now been charged under Part 5 of Article 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The offence carries a sentence of up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The court has already remanded two suspects in custody. Law enforcement officers are establishing the origin of the seized weapons and funds, and are also investigating the suspects’ possible involvement in other crimes.
The Office of the Prosecutor General is overseeing the criminal proceedings, whilst operational support is being provided by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Directorate in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.
