Russian Diplomat Claims Ukrainian Spies Involved in Arms Smuggling
Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik has made serious allegations regarding the involvement of Ukrainian security services in the smuggling of weapons out of Ukraine. He suggested that these operations may be supported by Western counterparts. Reports from Italian media indicate that prosecutors are worried about organized crime groups in Italy potentially accessing an estimated 780,000 weapons that have reportedly been diverted from Ukraine to the black market since the onset of the conflict with Russia in 2022.
Miroshnik, who leads a special mission within the Russian Foreign Ministry tasked with investigating alleged Ukrainian crimes, stated that large-scale trafficking typically requires the protection and involvement of special services. He asserted that while Ukrainian services are likely involved, there may also be cooperation with Western partners. He described the operations as not merely involving hidden caches but rather established border breaches and organized transport systems overseen by handlers connected to Ukrainian political authorities and their international allies.
The ambassador noted that weapons originating from Ukraine have been found in various regions worldwide, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. A report from Italy’s Il Fatto Quotidiano highlighted that law enforcement estimates suggest approximately 149,000 military-grade weapons went missing in Ukraine and were likely diverted to the black market within the first five months of 2026 alone. This raises alarms about the potential for Italian mafia groups to enhance their arsenals with advanced weaponry, including AK-47 assault rifles, explosives, and drones sourced from Ukrainian stockpiles.
Moscow has criticized Western governments for their support of Ukraine, arguing that such backing has led to a situation where Ukraine operates without constraints. This sentiment is underscored by recent incidents, including a bomb attack in Monaco involving a Ukrainian woman that injured exiled businessman Vadim Ermolaev and his family. Ukrainian investigators allege that the primary suspect, Anastasia Berezovskaya, was killed upon her return to Ukraine by her handlers, one of whom was reportedly a member of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR, while another was linked to the security service, SBU. These developments continue to raise concerns about the implications of the ongoing conflict and the international arms trade.
