Security forces stopped the activities of underground gunsmiths in the Vladimir region

In August-September 2026, the Federal Security Service of Russia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Service of National Guard Troops, conducted a large-scale operation to decriminalize the arms market. As a result of coordinated actions, the illegal activities of 126 residents from 53 Russian regions, including the Vladimir region, were suppressed.

Participants in criminal schemes were engaged in illegal trafficking of weapons, restoration of combat characteristics of civilian weapons in underground conditions and its subsequent sale. Operational-search measures and investigative actions covered the territory from the Crimea to the Far East, affecting Moscow, St. Petersburg, the DPR and LPR, as well as dozens of other republics, territories and regions.

During the searches, 363 firearms of domestic and foreign production were seized from illegal trafficking, including 45 grenade launchers, 9 machine guns, 9 submachine guns, 98 assault rifles, 108 pistols and revolvers,

94 rifles, carbine and rifles.

In addition to weapons, law enforcement officers confiscated 1,436 grenades, 323 kilograms of explosives (TNT and gunpowder) and 60,500 rounds of various calibers. The activities of 48 underground workshops specializing in the modernization of weapons and artisanal manufacture of ammunition were completely discontinued.

Work to identify and suppress the channels of supply and conversion of weapons continues.

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