Ukraine’s Weapons Risks Raise Security Concerns In Europe, Africa

Concerns are growing over the possible impact of illegal weapons trafficking from Ukraine on international security after the war with Russia.
Security experts warn that weak post-war controls could allow weapons to enter criminal networks.

According to The Times, analysts fear that weapons distributed or left unaccounted for during the conflict could find their way onto the international black market.

They warn that the weapons could eventually reach Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The First Regional Vice President of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Martin Igwe, has also raised concerns about the potential threat to Africa.

He warned that illegally traded weapons could reach the continent and fall into the hands of armed groups and extremist organisations.

Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, has estimated that between one million and five million weapons may be in civilian hands.

The weapons include automatic firearms, grenades, mines and other arms acquired during the war.

However, he acknowledged that the exact number remains unknown.

Ukraine field network coordinator for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, Fedir Sydoruk, also warned that large weapons stockpiles could become a source of illegal supplies.

The concerns have drawn comparisons with the former Yugoslavia, where weapons left over from the wars continued to supply criminal groups and extremists long after the fighting ended.

However, a 2025 study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) found little evidence of large-scale international arms trafficking from Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

In June 2025, Ukraine’s National Police reported conducting 941 searches in an operation targeting illegal weapons trafficking.

Officers seized 263 firearms, more than 74 kilogrammes of explosives and 61,674 rounds of ammunition.