Russian official claims Western arms in Ukraine fuel illegal trade network
Russia's chief delegate to security talks in Vienna alleged that illicit trade in Western-supplied weapons in Ukraine is controlled by organized crime groups.
Russia's chief delegate to talks on military security and arms control in Vienna, Yuliya Zhdanova, alleged that Western nations have turned Ukraine into a hub for the illegal international arms trade, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
Zhdanova said the illicit trade in Western-supplied weaponry and military hardware in Ukraine is now controlled by Ukrainian and international organized crime groups, TASS reported.
The claims were made as part of the Russian delegation's statements at the Vienna talks, which focus on military security and arms control issues in the region.
The allegations have not been independently verified. Ukrainian officials and Western governments have previously rejected similar claims made by Russian officials regarding the diversion of military aid supplied to Ukraine.
Sources
- West turns Ukraine into global illegal arms trade hub — Russian delegation in Vienna — TASS (Russia)
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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