Ukraine desarticula esquema para revender drones militares robados como nuevos
Las autoridades.Screen Ukrainian authorities exposed a criminal scheme involving the theft of military drones, the alteration of their identification data and their resale to the Armed Forces as new equipment. The operation resulted in 16 suspects being detained, more than 600 drones seized and 25 criminal episodes established.
Puntos clave
- Ukrainian law enforcement detained 16 suspects and established 25 episodes in the scheme.
- More than 600 drones of various types were seized during searches in nine regions and Kyiv.
- More than 200 seized drones were identified as property of specific military units; the origin of the remainder is still being checked.
- The group removed factory serial numbers, changed markings and QR codes, and reportedly reprogrammed the drones’ software.
- Processed drones were sold through controlled companies to military units and suppliers as new equipment, allowing the group to obtain public funds again.
- Searches also yielded nearly 17 million hryvnias, about $400,000, 11,900 euros, 15 cars, weapons, grenades and nearly 15,000 rounds.
- All 16 suspects were ordered held under custody with the option of posting bail; the criminal investigation is ongoing.
Por qué importa
The scheme enabled the same military drones to return to military units and be paid for a second time with public funds. The involvement of military personnel, civilian intermediaries and commercial companies raises questions about internal controls over military property, procurement and possible official involvement. Investigators are also tracing the full extent of the stolen property, other possible sales channels and the units that may have received the drones.
Qué ha ocurrido
Ukrainian law enforcement exposed an alleged criminal group that recruited military personnel willing to hand over drones for payment. The drones were taken to a workshop in Dnipropetrovshchyna, where their factory serial numbers were removed and their markings, QR codes and other identification data were changed. The group also reportedly reprogrammed the software and used controlled companies to sell the processed drones to military units and suppliers as new equipment. In return, the group received budget funding for the repeated purchases. The main base and workshop were reportedly located in Dnipropetrovshchyna, and the group had operated since at least December 2025. The special operation was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation, the State Border Guard Service and the National Police, with assistance from the command of the Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces. Military counterintelligence from the Security Service of Ukraine is also involved in the investigation. The estimated value of the stolen military property was about 16 million hryvnias. Bail was set at 9.98 million hryvnias for the organizer and two co-organizers, while other suspects received bail amounts ranging from 832,000 hryvnias to 6 million hryvnias.
Cómo lo cuentan las fuentes ucranianas
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes the scale of the operation: more than 100 searches in nine regions and Kyiv, over 600 drones seized and 16 suspects identified. Reporting also focuses on the mechanism of the scheme, including the removal of factory serial numbers, falsified marking and QR codes, and the repeated sale of the same equipment to the military with budget funding. The joint involvement of the State Bureau of Investigation, the State Border Guard Service, the National Police, military counterintelligence and the Unmanned Systems Forces is highlighted as part of the institutional response.
Contexto
The alleged criminal group reportedly operated from at least December 2025, with its main base and drone-processing workshop in Dnipropetrovshchyna. Participants recruited military personnel through personal contacts, internet listings and a dedicated Telegram channel. The group also created legal entities to conceal the drones’ origin and legitimize its income.