Growing Concerns That Missiles Sent To Ukrainian Troops Could End Up On The Black Market

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Defense Department/Lisa Ferdinando)

Daily Mail: Missiles sent to Ukrainian troops could end up on black market as criminal gangs try to intercept Western supplies

* Security source claims gangs are entering Ukraine and paying cash for weapons

* Only the higher-grade systems of the military aid sent to Ukraine are tracked

* Police fear that gangs, and even terrorists, could exploit the lack of oversight

Criminal gangs are trying to intercept Western weapons supplies sent to Ukraine amid fears they will be sold on the black market, the Daily Mail can reveal.

British anti-tank rockets are among an estimated £7billion of military aid to have flooded the country during recent months to help repel Russia’s invasion.

Only the higher-grade systems are tracked, prompting police to fear gangs, and even terrorists, could exploit the lack of oversight which has seen equipment ‘disappear’.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Ukraine Defense Ministry is calling concerns of Western missiles ending up on the black market as an "artificial" concern .... Amid flow of weapons to Ukraine, DefMin says black market smuggling is ‘artificial’ concern (Breaking Defense). But after saying it is an "artificial" concern, Kyiv has set up a commission to monitor arms transfers .... Ukraine invites allies to check on their weapons donations (Politico).

As to what is my take.

To me it is a given that a portion of these Western weapons will find itself on the Black market. There is just too much money to be made.

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