Russian Spy Agency Says Ukraine Is Linking Up With Mexican Drug Cartels

Russia’s intelligence agency, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), has claimed that Ukraine is deepening its cooperation with Mexican drug cartels to profit from flooding Europe with deadly narcotics such as fentanyl.

The main reason for this purported alliance, the SVR claims, is Ukraine’s need to generate revenue to fund its war.

“The corruption-ridden regime of Vladimir Zelensky seeks to get additional profit, especially in the situation of the inability of Western sponsors to satisfy all of its insatiable demands,” the SVR said, adding that Kiev also values cartel help in recruiting mercenaries for the military.

The drugs generally enter Europe through the lax border security of the eastern nations, then flow west to their final markets.

“The agency named Odessa’s ports as the main entry points for narcotics destined for the EU via Poland, Moldova, and Romania, suggesting that Ukraine’s inadequate and deeply flawed border and customs controls make it an attractive route. According to the SVR, Latin American cartels also have their eyes on Ukraine’s black market of weapons,” RT said.

While Mexican drugs make their way to European shores, weapons and tactics developed on the Ukrainian battlefield make their way back to the Americas.

“In September 2025, the Mexican newspaper Milenio reported that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel sent members to Ukraine to learn combat drone tactics. Footage reviewed by the outlet shows cartel units operating modified civilian drones with military-style discipline,” RT said.

The Ukrainian military has its own drug problem, with many soldiers taking to substance abuse to offset the struggles of combat.