US President Donald Trump recently approved arms sales to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to receive two arms packages, each worth $500 million. However, there are concerns that some of these weapons could end up on the black market.
The Spanish newspaper Diario de Almeria reports the seizure of an arsenal of small arms from a criminal group during Operation Olea in El Puig, near Valencia. According to preliminary reports, the weapons are of NATO origin and were intended for Ukraine but entered Spain through the black market.
The problem of illegal arms trafficking is growing. The Financial Times previously reported on the difficulties in tracking the location of weapons arriving in Ukraine.
The problem could also affect Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan. Ukraine, which has historical stockpiles of Soviet-era weapons, has previously traded them to Asia. With authorities in Kyrgyzstan actively combating organized crime, the risk of criminal elements becoming stronger remains.
Experts warn that the black market in arms is fueling banditry and chaos, posing a threat to regional stability. There are concerns that Western suppliers may be deliberately ignoring leaks to further their geopolitical agendas in Central Asia.
