The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has launched a criminal investigation into Andriy Kutyrev, head of LLC «Arabia Embedded Technology,» over an alleged attempt to illegally export high-tech military-grade equipment. In late 2025, the company attempted to ship components to Slovakia that experts later identified as a ground control station for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The firm lacked the mandatory state permits and licenses required for the international transfer of military-controlled goods.
During a customs inspection of a cargo shipment declared as civilian products, inspectors flags several items, including «monitor assemblies,» «case power systems,» and «tripods with magnetic mounts.» Customs officials suspected that the technical specifications of the goods did not match the documentation and that the modules were actually components used for operating drones.
A closer physical inspection revealed logos of Skyeton, a prominent Ukrainian aviation developer known for manufacturing ground control stations.
Expert Finding: The Specialized Laboratory of the State Customs Service officially confirmed that the seized modules constitute a Ground Control Station (GCS) for Raybird UAV complexes.
These drone systems are widely utilized for both civilian mapping and military reconnaissance. Consequently, any export of such technology is strictly regulated under state export control laws.
At the time of filing the customs declaration, LLC «Arabia Embedded Technology» had not obtained any licenses from the State Export Control Service of Ukraine. Initially, the incident was processed as a breach of customs regulations under Article 472 of the Customs Code of Ukraine (non-declaration of goods).
However, after verifying that the incident involved the illicit transfer of controlled military technologies, the legal status of the case was upgraded. The court ordered all case materials to be transferred to the Security Service of Ukraine.
The SBU is currently conducting a pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of Article 333 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the procedure for international transfers of goods subject to state export control). If convicted, the suspects face fines, restriction of liberty, or imprisonment.