Fears grow Putin ‘planning armed revolt’ in Europe | World | News– www.express.co.uk
Source Link
Excerpt:
Russia is shipping weapons and ammunition to Italy using mafia networks, according to a new investigative report. Officials in Rome are reportedly worried that Vladimir Putin is trying to destabilise Europe through the illicit shipments.
They suspect the Kremlin tyrant may be trying to provoke armed conflict either inside Italy or elsewhere in Europe. The consignments consist of unmarked Kalashnikovs, newer assault and sniper systems, and ammunition manufactured between 2010 and 2020. The illicit cargo enters Italy through Sicilian ports – including in Catania – and via border crossings in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The investigation into the Russian arms smuggling was carried out by the Italian online newspaper Linkiesta. Russia‘s so-called shadow fleet has helped to transport the munitions to Italian ports.
The weapons are broken down and hidden in barrels of oil, fuel or lubricants to avoid inspections and preserve the arms from corrosion. Their onward distribution mirrors established narcotic routes.
Catania appears to have become one of the main centres of the trade.
Weapons caches tied to the Santapaola-Ercolano clan’s Nizza group were seized by police in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
