The FSB reported on the «disruption of the activities of an international group involved in the preparation of smuggling aviation-technical property abroad, including to Ukraine». Among the detainees are citizens of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern countries. It is noted that their activities were coordinated by a foreign national located abroad.
The estimated cost of the specified components is over 400 million rubles, allowing the restoration of the airworthiness of at least four helicopters, the agency noted.
«To carry out the criminal intent, group members, on the order of representatives of foreign organizations, through a number of controlled commercial structures, purchased from manufacturing enterprises and operating companies, stored and illegally moved across the state border new components for Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters», — noted the FSB's Public Relations Center.
The investigative department of the FSB in the Orenburg region has initiated a criminal case under the article «attempted smuggling of military equipment, as well as equipment that can be used in the creation of weapons or military equipment».