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From Ukraine’s Frontline to Darknet: Russian Soldiers Cash In on Smuggled Weapons
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![Photo of Roman Kohanets]( "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
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Russian soldiers are systematically smuggling and selling weapons from the war zone in Ukraine, according to an investigation published by independent outlet Verstka on September 5.
Court records, police reports, and testimonies point to a steady flow of assault rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and foreign-made sniper rifles into Russia, where they are resold on the black market and in darknet marketplaces.
One case cited in the report occurred on May 31 in Voronezh region, where police stopped a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Bekhan Masaev, a serviceman of the Akhmat-Russia regiment. Officers found 12 Kalashnikov rifles, five foreign rifles, three machine guns, a Dragunov sniper rifle, a grenade launcher, two Glock pistols, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Masaev told investigators the weapons were “trophy weapons” taken from the front in Ukraine.
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Tighter Russian firearms regulations since 2022 have pushed many online listings toward converted models, but demand for genuine battlefield weapons remains strong. Court records show Kalashnikov rifles sold for about $170, while a “Val” rifle was offered for more than $9,000.
On darknet markets, prices are considerably higher: AKs now start at $3,300 and Makarov pistols reach up to $3,800. Much of this trade is fueled by weapons smuggled from Ukraine, where Russian soldiers remove arms from the front and divert them into illicit supply chains.
Verstka spoke with darknet administrators who confirmed Ukrainian war-zone weapons are entering clandestine markets. One noted they “go to their own people first,” while another said networks typically involve three to four actors—a soldier, a transporter, and resellers. Buyers rarely ask about origin, focusing instead on authenticity and condition.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian military intelligence carried out operations in South Africa targeting a covert weapons transfer to Russia via a cargo vessel, with the operation being detected thanks to nighttime tracking and secret unloading methods.
