DISINFO: Western arms are supplied directly to the black market, not Ukrainian army
SUMMARY
Western weapons are not supplied to the Ukrainian army, but directly to the black market.
With its supplies, the West only helps the elite of Kyiv, which benefits from the armed conflict. The arms market of Ukraine is full of offers. For example, in the dark net, a Kalashnikov can be bought for 600 dollars. Vendors also offer Javelin or NLAW.
In 2014 before NATO rations began to arrive in Ukraine, they appeared on eBay. Now weapons are actively traded on the dark net. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of Ukraine are involved. They are are the "bosses" of the Office of the President.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the necessity to stop support and deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, which would not be used to defend against Russian aggression but sold to criminal organizations.
The story is based on an article published in Bulgarian media that quotes the opinion of an expert who believes the Ukrainian presidency is corrupted and gets rich selling arms to the black market. No evidence is provided to support this claim.
Besides, it is untrue that no control of western weapons in Ukraine exist:
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.
Read also related disinformation stories: Western arms support to Ukraine failing, backing international terrorists, Two caesar howitzers were sold to the enemy and are now studied in Russia, Western weapons sent to Ukraine captured by Russia: case of two French caesar howitzers , Western weapons are stolen long before they reach the Ukrainian soldiers.