Ukraine detains 16 over suspected scheme to resell military drones as new
Ukrainian law enforcement officers have detained 16 people suspected of stealing drones from military units and reselling them to the armed forces as new equipment, the State Border Guard Service reported on October 28.
Officers seized more than 600 drones during over 100 searches across nine regions and Kyiv. More than 200 of the aircraft have already been identified as military property, while investigators are still establishing the origins of the others.
According to investigators, the suspected scheme had operated since at least December 2025.
Members of the alleged network used personal contacts, online advertisements and a dedicated Telegram channel to find service members willing to illegally sell drones belonging to their military units.
The drones were allegedly purchased at prices well below market value. Some may have been written off in military records as equipment lost in combat to conceal their disappearance.
Investigators say the drones were then taken to workshops, where they were repaired, cleaned and repackaged. Original serial numbers were removed, while QR codes and identifying labels were replaced.
Companies allegedly controlled by the group subsequently signed contracts to supply the equipment to Ukrainian military units, potentially allowing drones already purchased with defense funds to be sold to the state a second time.
Authorities have identified six military units that may have received drones with altered identification markings. Around 200 such drones are currently recorded as military property.
Investigators say the group's main base operated in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central-eastern Ukraine.
The searches also uncovered more than 13 million hryvnias (approximately $310,000), around $400,000 in cash, gold and silver, jewelry, 15 vehicles, weapons and computer equipment.
Suspects face allegations of misappropriating military property under martial law and laundering criminal proceeds. Some have been remanded in custody, while pretrial detention decisions for others are pending.
The investigation remains ongoing, including into the possible involvement of military officials and the total amount of public money affected.