In a recently released report by the Pentagon’s inspector general, it has been revealed that more than $1 billion worth of sophisticated weaponry sent to Ukraine by the US has been poorly tracked. The redacted version of the report was made public a day after its submission to the US Congress.
The investigation focused on the implementation of enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM) procedures, specifically for highly sensitive and sophisticated equipment, including shoulder-mounted missile systems, kamikaze drones, night-vision devices, and other hardware.
According to the report, the US and its partner nations supplied Ukraine with approximately $1.699 billion worth of EEUM-designated hardware. Despite efforts by the Pentagon and the Ukrainian military to conduct required inventories, “significant personnel limitations and accountability challenges remain.” As of June 2, 2023, the report states that 59% of the total value, just over $1 billion, remains improperly tracked.
The lack of proper accountability is highlighted as it “may increase the risk of theft and diversion” of the sophisticated EEUM-designated equipment. However, the inspector general’s scope did not extend to determining whether the untracked hardware had actually been stolen.
The report reveals ongoing investigations by the Pentagon inspector general into allegations of criminal conduct related to US security assistance to Ukraine. The inspector general currently has personnel stationed in Ukraine to continue these investigations.
Concerns about the misuse and theft of military hardware sent to Ukraine have persisted since the conflict between Moscow and Kiev began in February 2022. Sophisticated weapons, including US-made ‘Switchblade’ kamikaze drones and NLAW shoulder-fired anti-tank missile launchers, have reportedly been available for purchase on the Darknet.
Furthermore, instances of weaponry destined for Ukraine surfacing in conflicts globally have been reported, including the ongoing escalation in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The revelations from the Pentagon’s report raise questions about the effectiveness of monitoring and ensuring the proper use of military aid in complex geopolitical situations.