Smuggling weapons from Ukraine threatens Israeli security - warns US journal

Kyiv: – The overflow of weapons to Ukraine from the United States and western countries for the war against Russia is turning into a ‘time bomb’. Due to the lack of control by the western countries and the Ukrainian system over the weapons stocks, these weapons are being smuggled into the black market worldwide. A US Journal has warned that if these weapons fall into the hands of terrorist organisations affiliated with Iran, it will endanger the security of Israel itself.

Criticising Russian attacks on Ukraine, the United States and western countries have started military aid to Ukraine. The United States alone has provided $7.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine over the past four and a half months of conflict. And the Biden administration will soon sign off on $400 million in military aid for Ukraine.

But this military aid provided to Ukraine is being criticised by the United States itself. A few days ago, the US newspaper ‘The Washington Post’ criticised the United States and western countries for providing excessive military aid to Ukraine. The Stimson Centre, a US research group, claimed that Ukraine’s system could not keep track of the military aid received from the West.

The European Union has also noted that arms sent to Ukraine are being found in the hands of smugglers. The federation will set up a separate centre in Moldova, a neighbouring Ukraine, to prevent this smuggling. This, the federation claims, will help prevent arms trafficking in Ukraine. But the US journal ‘Eurasia Reviews’ released a warning citing the videos circulating on social media for the past few days.

Military aid entering Ukraine is reaching the black market through European countries. The US Journal pointed out some advanced weapons such as anti-tank missiles and assault rifles are seen in the videos. The smuggler in one of the videos says that these weapons can be purchased easily and cheaply from the black market. Citing this, the US Journal warned that an overflow of military aid in Ukraine would be dangerous for Israel.

Only groups with subversive intentions can purchase these Western-made weapons, which are readily available in the black market. This may include ‘IS’, ‘Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’ and other terrorist organisations, claimed the US Journal. The journal also pointed out that the Syrian Kurds and Iran-affiliated terrorist organisations will purchase these weapons to retaliate against Turkish military operations and to attack Israel, respectively.

Weapons of the United States and Western countries smuggled through Ukraine can also reach Syria and Gaza Strip. The US Journal has warned that if this happens, the terrorist organisations in Gaza can use Western-made weapons to shock Israel in the next conflict.