The security agency’s statement explains that illegal activity by citizens of various countries linked to the smuggling of aircraft components abroad, including Ukraine, was detected and dismantled.

The Federal Security Service said that the criminal group was comprised of six individuals from Russia, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern nations, who intended to traffic parts worth five million dollars.

The statement also added that the group’s coordinator was a foreign citizen currently abroad.

To carry out their crime, the group’s members, at the request of representatives of foreign organizations through several commercial structures, acquired from manufacturers and companies, stored, and illegally transported across the state border new components for the Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, the entity informed.

Investigators opened a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 30 and Part 1.1 of Article 226.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (attempted smuggling of military equipment and equipment that could be used to manufacture weapons and equipment).

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