Criminal gangs are trying to intercept Western supplies of weapons to Ukraine. A security source claimed that gangs enter Ukraine and pay cash for weapons, the military monitors and secures only the best systems of military aid sent to Ukraine, and the police fear that gangs, and even terrorists may take advantage of the lack of oversight of the simpler systems
Criminal gangs are trying to intercept Western arms supplies sent to Ukraine amid fears they will be sold on the black market, the Daily Mail reports. British anti-tank rockets and an estimated $10 billion in military aid have flooded Ukraine over the past few months to help repel Russia’s invasion. But only the higher-end systems are monitored and secured, causing police to fear gangs, and even terrorists, might take advantage of the lack of oversight of the less expensive equipment.
A security source claimed to the Daily Mail yesterday that members of Eastern European gangs enter Ukraine from Poland, pay in cash for weapons and sneak back to the European Union. Night vision goggles and body armor are also being considered, with the EU’s law enforcement agency Europol calling for more tests.
The Europol spokesman said: “The war caused a lot of weapons and explosives to circulate on the market. Initially, the Ukrainians kept records of weapons, but this was abandoned as the war progressed. Now there are no records.” Russia has released videos on social media purportedly showing fighters from Syria with Western anti-tank weapons. UK defense sources say the footage is fake but the scenario is considered realistic.
Other documents uploaded anonymously to pro-Russian accounts apparently show anti-tank missile kits during black market sales in Ukraine. A security source tried to reassure: “It’s easy to take a picture with the cases where missiles enter, it looks impressive, but they will have to steal the launch unit and the codes of the command.”