Russia’s FSB claims having uncovered trafficking scheme to supply Russian combat aircraft parts to Europe and Ukraine

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reports having uncovered a criminal scheme for trafficking refurbished Russian combat plane and helicopter parts to Europe and Ukraine.

An unspecified number of suspects are now in custody. Some of them are Ukrainian nationals; others, the agency says, come from the Central Asian region.

The suspects allegedly bought and refurbished aircraft parts before sending them to Western Europe, “partly for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” as explained in a press release.

FSB agents reportedly seized over 100 pieces of military aircraft equipment, as well as $117,000 and 59,000 euros. The agency claims to have documentary evidence that refurbished parts were intended for the use of Ukraine’s combat aviation.

The suspects are being prosecuted for organized crime and trafficking military equipment.