Ukrainian fighters risk life so that Western weapons do not get to third hands - nyt

According to journalists, the fact of smuggling export of Swedish anti -tank grenade launcher from Ukraine was recorded. If at least part of the weapons supplied to Ukraine is on the black market, not on the battlefield, then for Ukraine it will have critical consequences. About it writes New York Times today, May 15. The Ukrainian military at the price of their lives protect this weapon so that it does not fall into the hands of the invaders.

"People literally died because they left something, and they returned to pick it up and were killed," said the deputy from the Voice faction Alexander Ustinova. But in Washington, Congress requires strict accountability for "every unit of weapons, every ammunition they send to Ukraine" against the backdrop of the impending public debt crisis and skepticism about the financial support of the Armed Forces.

By law, US officials must control the use, transfer and safety of US weapons and defense systems that are sold or otherwise transferred to foreign partners to ensure that everything is used for its intended purpose. However, officials and experts point to a huge amount of portable weapons, such as tens of thousands of Javelin and Styinger missiles. This creates a virtually insurmountable problem for tracking each unit.

Therefore, the anxiety among Ukrainian officials responsible for delivering weapons to the battlefield is increasing. "It is impossible, frankly, to ask people to constantly check their stocks," Ustinova said. The publication adds that there was also one confirmed notification on smuggling export of Swedish anti -tank grenade launcher from Ukraine.

But the theft was discovered after the weapon exploded in the trunk of the car about 10 miles from Moscow, injuring the retired Russian officer who had just returned from the East of Ukraine. The threat remains. In intensive conflicts like Ukraine, weapons are used almost as quickly as it turns out. On March 10, it became known that Russia has seized part of the US and NATO weapons and equipment provided for Ukraine and sent them to Iran.

The Pentagon believes that Tehran will try to study and re -intercede systems. On March 8, the media wrote that through the Caspian Sea, Iran handed Russia 300,000 ammunition. According to journalists, ammunition and about 100 million rounds were transported on board two cargo ships under the Russian flag. Today, on May 15, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the preparation of important counter -offensive actions, but noted that at the beginning of their execution still took time.