Global market! Ukraine could become a global hub for illegal arms trade

After the war, Ukraine could become a major European hub for illegal arms trade, The Times writes.

According to the publication, after the war, a huge number of weapons will remain in the country, including unregistered and trophy weapons.

This could lead to veterans criminalizing the arms business and illegal arms exports to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

An example of this is the former Yugoslavia, which for decades after the end of the conflict in 2001 became a major "arsenal" of weapons for criminals and terrorists in Europe.

"Without strict post-war controls, Ukraine could become a Yugoslavian-style arms market", the article states.

"If even a small portion of returning Ukrainian veterans join organized crime, the consequences for law and order in Europe could be profound", experts say.

It is noted that in Kiev alone, in the first days of the war, over 25,000 assault rifles and about 10 million rounds of ammunition, as well as grenade launchers and rocket launchers, were distributed to volunteers. Therefore, post-war Ukraine "could become a Kalashnikov society", in which disputes that were once settled with fists will be settled with guns.

The publication also writes that Ukrainians may have between one and five million unregistered weapons.

The problem is also found in the fact that the country does not have clear laws on gun ownership. It is the only country in Europe where this issue is regulated by orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which creates the possibility of abuse.

Strana.ua noted that journalist Tucker Carlson called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be "investigated for political assassinations and the resale of American weapons".

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Ukraine "is seeking to repeal" the arms export ban to gain revenue from the sale of drones and expand their production.