Cars for the Ukrainian Armed Forces — via ads: in Mykolaiv a man was selling humanitarian vehicles

In Mykolaiv, a 39-year-old local resident, according to the police, was selling cars imported into Ukraine as humanitarian aid for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) through a popular marketplace. For the sale of five cars he received $15,500. The man was detained while receiving funds after another deal.

The scheme was uncovered with the involvement of:

• investigators of the Mykolaiv District Police Department who are investigating the case;
• officers of the regional department of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) who provided operational support;
• officers of the Border Guard Service who also provided operational support;
• the Mykolaiv City District Prosecutor’s Office, which is overseeing the procedural aspects.

The investigation found that the suspect had at his disposal vehicles mostly with foreign registration. They were brought from abroad under a simplified procedure as humanitarian aid. These included the following models:

• BMW 525;
• Hyundai Getz;
• Audi Q7;
• Ford Focus;
• Opel Astra.

According to investigators, to obtain profit the man posted advertisements to sell the cars on one of the popular online platforms. Immediately after completing another transaction selling three vehicles, he was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

During searches, law enforcement officers seized foreign license plates, money and other evidence that the police associate with the criminal activity.

The man was informed of suspicion under part 3 of Article 201-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He is accused of selling goods of humanitarian aid for profit, committed on a large scale during martial law.

The article’s sanction provides for up to seven years imprisonment, a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years, and confiscation of property. The court ordered the suspect to be held in custody with the possibility of bail.

The pre-trial investigation continues. Law enforcement is clarifying how the vehicles got to the suspect and identifying other people who may be involved in the illegal scheme.

Source: Mykolaiv Oblast Police.

Previously we wrote:

• A serviceman sold four humanitarian SUVs in Mykolaiv
• In Mykolaiv region, a man will stand trial accused of selling three humanitarian vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• In Mykolaiv, the court remanded in custody the seller of three humanitarian SUVs for $13.5 thousand
• The Armed Forces of Ukraine — only a cover: a scheme to sell humanitarian vehicles exposed again
• A court in Mykolaiv arrested two suspects in the sale of humanitarian vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine