Joint Ukraine's Security Service and intel operation uncovers explosives route from Abkhazia to Odesa
Photo: the SBU and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine disrupted the FSB drone delivery to Odesa (facebook.com/SecurSerUkraine)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), together with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) and the Navy, has dismantled a large-scale maritime smuggling channel through which Russians attempted to deliver a strike drone to Odesa for carrying out terrorist attacks. The operation to expose the perpetrators lasted over a year, according to the SBU and HUR.
Details of the hostile scheme
According to investigators, the smuggling channel was organized by an Odesa-based entrepreneur who is currently abroad and running an illegal business in the temporarily occupied Abkhazia.
In exchange for permission from Russian security services to conduct smuggling activities in the Caucasus, he agreed to carry out an assignment for the FSB — to deliver a fiber-optic guided strike UAV with explosives to Odesa.
The smuggling route ran through the Black Sea. Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products.
In the area of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, the contraband was transferred from a main civilian vessel to small boats in order to covertly deliver the cargo to the Odesa coast.
To ensure unhindered passage of the vessels, the organizer involved three accomplices in Odesa and a local border guard officer.
Results of the special operation
Law enforcement agencies gradually documented the suspects’ activities and detained four individuals "in the act" near the Odesa port.
The Security Service of Ukraine (#SBU), together with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (#HUR) and the Navy, has dismantled a large-scale maritime smuggling channel through which Russians attempted to deliver a strike drone to #Odesa for carrying out terrorist attacks. The… pic.twitter.com/KjoV8GUUSy
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 29, 2026
Following searches in the Odesa and Chernivtsi regions, authorities seized 1,800 cartons of counterfeit tobacco products, a Russian UAV with a warhead, illegally modified automatic weapons, communication equipment, and related documentation.
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Photo: Weapons and Russian-made unmanned systems were hidden among large shipments of tobacco products (https://t.me/SBUkr/17685?single)
Currently, four detainees have been formally charged under Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal transportation of persons across the state border).
A default suspicion in absentia is being prepared for the organizer of the scheme. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
