Ukraine – Organised Criminal Group Exposed in Ternopil Oblast

National Police of Ukraine

On 8 August 2025, the Drug Crime Control Department of the Main Police Department in Ternopil Region exposed members of a large-scale organised criminal group (OCG).  Following a search of a forest in the region, an IED was recovered. The device, known as a ‘Khattabka’, consists of a VOG-17 hand grenade with an UZRG-M fuse attached. Additionally, police officers discovered eighteen UZRG-M fuses, a cache of weapons, ammunition and psychotropic substances. Seven suspects were detained with potential sentences of up to 12 years of imprisonment.

Approximately 3,000 doses of psychotropic substances are distributed monthly by members of the organised criminal group (OCG), according to the Main Directorate of the National Police in Ternopil Region. Despite the Ukraine-Russia conflict, this event demonstrates that criminal activity is prevalent in the region.

For more information on this event, please contact EWS.

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