Get you up to speed: Cartel Members Acquire Drone Warfare Training from Ukraine’s International Legion
Some foreign nationals serving on the frontlines of Ukraine are allegedly taking drone warfare tactics they learn back home to assist cartels. Ukrainian counterintelligence began investigating the infiltration of cartel members into the country’s International Legion this summer. Images of cartel members in Mexico armed with military-grade weapons have raised questions about their capabilities.
Ukrainian counterintelligence has initiated an investigation into the infiltration of cartel members into the International Legion, with focus heightened following the murder of drug lord El Mencho. According to David Kirichenko, a Ukraine-American journalist, some foreign nationals from Latin America are allegedly gaining drone warfare skills in Ukraine, which they may use to assist cartels upon returning home. The Ukrainian International Legion reportedly implements rigorous vetting processes for foreign recruits, although concerns remain about the effectiveness of these measures in identifying individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Ukrainian counterintelligence is investigating the involvement of cartel members in the International Legion, which has increased scrutiny following the murder of drug lord El Mencho. Some foreign nationals are reportedly coming to Ukraine for military training but may return home to share their drone warfare skills with cartels, raising concerns about the implications for future violence in Mexico. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime highlights the potential for drones to be used in drug trafficking and warfare, which could significantly alter the dynamics of criminal operations in Latin America.
What we know so far
How cartel members are getting drone training in Ukraine | News World
Learning drone warfare in Ukraine could aid cartels if members return back to their countries (Picture: Getty)
Some foreign nationals serving on the frontlines of Ukraine are allegedly taking drone warfare tactics they learn back home to assist cartels.
Ukrainian counterintelligence began investigating the infiltration of cartel members into the country’s International Legion this summer, but it’s been thrust back into the spotlight after the murder of drug lord El Mencho.
Armed with semi-automatic rifles, tactical gear and even tanks, images of cartel members in Mexico after the kingpin’s death led many to question just how these criminal organisations became so well-armed.
But in addition to the military-grade weapons obtained by cartels through illegal weapons trade, members are also venturing into drone warfare.
Some cartels have turned to drones to help strike rival compounds, and even dropped grenades on other drug strongholds in the country.
And to get ahead of their rivals, some of the criminal organisations are sending members to infiltrate the Ukrainian International legion to get first-hand experience with the technology.
Ukraine-American journalist David Kirichenko told WTX News he first learned about the connections to the Mexican cartels while on the frontline.
Drone warfare has become a staple of the fight in Ukraine (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘I spent time with soldiers there and maintain contact with many of them to this day,’ he said.
The reasons behind why soldiers from Mexico and Colombia ventured more than 6,000 miles to Ukraine vary, however.
‘Some were quite candid about coming to Ukraine for the money,’ David said.
‘Others said it was a mixture of the mission and the difficulty of being a retired soldier who wanted to continue that line of work.
‘But some of those soldiers mentioned that upon returning to their countries, there was significant interest from various cartels looking to utilise their skill sets in modern warfare.’
The Ukrainian International Legion does have intense vetting processes before foreign nationals are able to join the force on the frontline.
Even with these procedures, David said he believes many of these individuals were approved to join the group by planning to work for the cartel after they leave the war, not before.
‘There is likely a small fraction of people with sketchy backgrounds,’ he explained.
‘If you think about the logistics of moving from Latin America to Ukraine, there is only so much vetting you can do. Criminal organisations can forge identities and documents or bribe officials to provide clean records.’
Ukraine’s domestic security is working to get ahead of potential criminals joining the fight against Russia, who may only do so for military training.
But David points out: ‘It only takes one talented, experienced drone operator to go back and teach many others.’
WTX News has contacted the International Legion for comment.
How are cartels using drone technology?
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Already heavily armed, drones could open a new battlefield for cartels (Picture: Reuters)
The use of drones in Latin America provides an opportunity for cartels to gather intelligence on their rivals, government officials and local populations to ensure the safety of their operations.
In their fight to control the drug industry, cartels are turning to more modern weaponry, including drones and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
If even one highly-trained drone operator returns to their home country after serving in Ukraine and teaches others, it could open a Pandora’s Box of future weaponry in the bloody cartel wars.
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime points out: ‘In the air, drones offer a natural fit for smuggling low-weight, high-profit commodities such as drugs and tobacco.
‘Land drones provide larger payloads and could also be repurposed as offensive tools if weaponised, as has already been observed in Ukraine.
‘Sea drones, while expensive, can carry heavy payloads over long distances, making them potentially attractive for drug traffickers moving shipments regionally or for arms traffickers transporting bulk consignments discreetly.’
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