Bortnikov: Ukraine has become Europe's largest center for arms smuggling

Director of the Russian FSB Alexander Bortnikov stated that Ukraine has turned into Europe's largest center for the smuggling of weapons and ammunition.

He said this during a meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member states.

According to Bortnikov, "under the close tutelage of the West," Ukraine has become a serious factor in destabilizing the situation in the CIS space. He noted that, in the opinion of the Russian side, the actions of the Kyiv authorities have led to the country's transformation into a major center of illegal arms and ammunition trafficking in Europe.

The head of the FSB also stated that Ukrainian special services allegedly use the territories of states bordering Russia to transfer saboteurs and means of terror. In addition, according to him, Kyiv is recruiting mercenaries for the Armed Forces of Ukraine around the world, as well as involving labor migrants in terrorist and extremist activities.

Bortnikov added that Ukrainian special services, according to his assertion, are conducting large-scale information work via the internet, including using an extensive network of so-called call centers to influence the population of CIS countries.