DISINFO: The West is aware of the fact that weapons provided to Ukraine are being sold on the black market
SUMMARY
The West is aware of the fact that weapons provided to the Ukrainian army are being sold on the black market. Western media are silencing it. According to Seymour Hersh, large numbers of weapons were supplied to Ukraine and various commanders were given weapons which they then personally re-sold to someone or simply delivered to the black market.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the necessity to stop support and deliveries of weapons to Ukraine.
There is no evidence which would suggest a state-organised or at least widespread black-market trade of Western weaponry. Russian and pro-Russian media outlets and officials have repeatedly stated that this is happening – and also without any evidence. Multiple journalists have investigated these claims but they have not found any large scale “operations” of this kind.
U.S. defense attaché Brigadier General Garrick M. Harmon arrived in Kyiv in August 2022 for arms control and monitoring.
It has been documented that Western equipment has reached the front line and made a difference in the fight.
The issue of corruption in Ukrainian institution is a great concern for the EU and is addressed accordingly. Since 2014, the EU has provided over €5 billion to Ukraine through five MFA programmes to support the implementation of a broad reform agenda in areas such as the fight against corruption, an independent judicial system, the rule of law, and improving the business climate. In September 2022 additional €5 billion have been adopted for this purpose. Additionally, Ukraine confirmed experienced investigator Oleksandr Klymenko as the head of its Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday 28 July 2022. The EU also funds the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) in Ukraine.