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Jun 18, 2026 Major3
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Police raid near St. Petersburg's Kupchino metro station yields fake documents, illegal weapons
Police in St. Petersburg conducted a major operation on June 18, 2026, near Kupchino metro station, checking 290 people and over 200 vehicles. Eight foreign nationals were detained for migration violations, forged documents were discovered, and illegal weapons were found in two vehicles.

Quick Facts
Who
Russian police (МВД РФ)
What
Large-scale police raid
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Vitebskiy Prospect (Витебский проспект)
- Large-scale police raid
- Document verification of 290 people
- Inspection of over 200 vehicles
- Discovery of forged documents
- Discovery of illegal traumatic weapons in two vehicles
Russian police conducted a large-scale operation on Vitebskiy Prospect near St. Petersburg's Kupchino metro station on June 18, 2026, checking the documents of approximately 290 people and inspecting over 200 vehicles. The operation focused on migration control and road safety enforcement in an area known for heavy traffic flow. About one-third of the individuals checked were foreign nationals, and eight were taken to a police station for violations of migration legislation and processed under administrative code articles 18.8.
During the document verification process, police officers paid particular attention to identifying forged documents. One foreign national presented a document bearing the seal of a government agency that had been abolished several years prior. Investigators are considering whether to open a criminal case under Article 327 of the Russian Criminal Code, which addresses document forgery. The sophistication of some forgeries was poor enough to raise suspicions upon cursory inspection.
In parallel operations, traffic police and canine handlers checked over 200 vehicles, with service dogs inspecting cargo trucks and vans. The search yielded illegal traumatic weapons being transported in violation of regulations, discovered in two vehicles. This information was referred to the relevant division of Rosgvardiya (the National Guard). Additionally, inspectors identified multiple traffic violations and prepared more than ten administrative materials under various articles of the traffic code. Drivers who refused medical examination were prohibited from continuing and had their vehicles towed to specialized impound lots.
The operation is part of broader law enforcement efforts in St. Petersburg regarding migration control. Earlier that week, police had checked approximately 100 foreign workers at a residential complex construction site in Vasileoostrovskiy district, where some workers attempted to hide on upper unfinished floors to avoid inspection. Since the beginning of 2026, court bailiffs in St. Petersburg have forcibly deported 4,050 foreign nationals and stateless persons, with the largest numbers coming from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Why This Matters
This operation demonstrates Russia's intensified immigration enforcement and document verification efforts in major urban centers. The discovery of forged government documents and illegal weapons indicates persistent security gaps in border control and vehicle inspections. The scale of deportations (4,050 since 2026 began) and the targeting of construction sites with undocumented workers reflect broader policy priorities affecting labor markets and public safety. Readers should understand how such enforcement actions impact migrant communities and the enforcement priorities shaping law enforcement in Russia.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 16, 2026
WireEarlier that week, police checked approximately 100 foreign workers at construction site in Vasileoostrovskiy district; some workers attempted to hide to avoid inspection
Jun 18, 2026
WireLarge-scale police operation conducted on Vitebskiy Prospect near Kupchino metro station checking 290 people and 200+ vehicles
Jun 18, 2026
WireMedia reports published about the Kupchino operation