Belgium investigates use of weapons transferred to Ukraine in Russia, Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate responds

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said this, Reuters reports.

“Our defense ministry and its intelligence agencies have started an investigation and are asking for information to determine what has happened exactly. European weapons are delivered to Ukraine under the condition that they are used on Ukrainian territory with the purpose of defending that territory. And we have strict controls in place to see that this is the case,” De Croo said. 

On June 3, the media reported that pro-Ukainian paramilitary groups in the Belgorod region were using tactical vehicles provided to Ukraine by the US and Poland and had rifles made in Belgium and the Czech Republic.

On June 5, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Andriy Yusov, commented on the possible use of weapons provided to Ukraine in Russia and said that the question should be asked directly to autonomous military groups operating in Russia on their own initiative.

“As far as we know, they have already commented on this issue. In particular, regarding the equipment or weapons that have been used/re-used as weapons. As for other issues, I think the Defense Ministry will comment properly,” Yusov said.

• On May 23, the US said it could not confirm information about the alleged use of American weapons transferred to Ukraine by militias in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.