Staff Reports
In a shocking revelation, a recent report by the U.S. Defense Department Office of the Inspector General has exposed a huge problem plaguing the Department of Defense (DoD) in tracking the weapons it has sent to Ukraine. As it turns out, criminal gangs are getting their grubby hands on some of the weapons meant to aid Ukraine’s fight against corruption and Russian aggression. Now, now, let’s not jump the gun here, but this is quite the pickle.
DoD IG Report Shows Big Problem Tracking Weapons Given to Ukraine, Criminal Gangs Grabbing Some https://t.co/WxVDUPtHgs
— RedState (@RedState) July 23, 2023
Let’s travel back in time to May 2022 when questions were first raised about depleting our own stockpiles and the overall accountability of the weapons, money, and material sent to Ukraine. Even then, Senators were skeptical about the transparency and vigilance of the Pentagon. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, voiced concerns over diversion and hoarding issues that had resulted in weapons, ammunition, and armor not reaching their intended recipients. It’s like giving someone a Christmas present and watching them re-gift it without a second thought.
🚨 The DOD OIG just released to us a report that shows serious problems in maintaining accountability of equipment provided to Ukraine
This includes criminal gangs getting their hands on a grenade launcher, machine gun, rifles, 1,000s of ammo, etc pic.twitter.com/FXD4gzArtE
— Oversight Project (@OversightPR) July 21, 2023
But hold on to your hats, folks! The real kicker comes from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin himself. When asked about the possibility of weapons falling into the wrong hands, Austin astonishingly admitted that it was “difficult to track weapons once they were moved into Ukraine.” You heard that right! The man in charge of our national security was relying on the Ukrainians’ sense of prudence and carefulness in handling these weapons. It’s like leaving a child in charge of a chocolate cake and expecting them not to eat it all.
Fast forward a year, and the issues identified by Austin still persist. The DoD report, obtained through a FOIA request, paints a grim picture of accountability and security. Due to limited U.S. presence in Ukraine, the DoD has been unable to provide proper monitoring of the equipment it supplied to the country. Enhanced End Use Monitoring (EEUM), the very thing meant to keep tabs on the transfer of military equipment, has fallen short. Javelin missiles, command launch units, night vision devices, you name it – they’re slipping through the cracks faster than a greased pig.
But wait, there’s more! Criminal gangs have joined the party, making off with these weapons like they’re scoring merchandise at a Black Friday sale. From organized crime groups controlled by mysterious Russian officials to sneaky Ukrainian criminals posing as humanitarian aid workers, it seems everyone wants a piece of the action. And why wouldn’t they? With such lax monitoring and accountability measures, it’s like a playground for miscreants.
This report should raise serious concerns for Republicans and anyone else with half a functioning brain. The red flags are waving, and it’s clear that the DoD’s current approach is as effective as trying to catch smoke with a butterfly net. If we can’t ensure that these weapons aren’t falling into the wrong hands – including our dear friends, the Russians – then what’s the point? It’s time for action, accountability, and a lot less “Oops, we misplaced another arsenal.” Wake up, Republicans, and let’s get our act together before it’s too late.
