An organized crime group involved in the export of dual-use goods to Russia has been uncovered in Plovdiv. 12 people were arrested - three Russian nationals, seven Bulgarian citizens, one Albanian citizen and one citizen of Belarus. Five of them have been indicted. The dual-use goods included binoculars, telescopic sights, etc. The group has been active since early 2021. 

Purchases for over EUR 2 million have been made. The items were bought abroad, repackaged in Plovdiv, delivered to Sofia and later sent to Russia. The items were used in the war against Ukraine. "They were not intended for the regular Russian army, but for the special forces fighting in Ukraine - the 26th special purpose unit, the naval infantry, the Wagner Group, etc.", explained the head of the State Agency for National Security Plamen Tonchev.