US resumes 'on-site' inspections to keep track of weapons in Ukraine

On-site inspections by the United States in Ukraine have been reopened to track the millions of weapons being supplied to Kyiv.

Moving large quantities of weaponry in the most significant conflict in Europe since World War Two comes with risk that some might fall into the wrong hands.

Officials from the United States have stated that they considered it a risk worth taking to provide $18 billion worth of weapons since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

On condition of anonymity, a senior US defense official stated that the Ukrainian government had made a commitment to safeguarding and accounting the weapons, and that there was no evidence to support this claim.

The official stated that the United States has recently resumed "on-site inspections" to inspect weapons stocks in Ukraine "whenever and wherever security conditions permit".

When certain weapons are given to countries, inspections on-site are part of the agreements they sign with the United States.

The official said that he would continue to work with his colleagues from the U.S. government as well as with international partners to ensure accountability for security assistance in the future.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has reopened in May and the defense attache as well as the office of defense cooperations are conducting the inspections.

Although the official did not say how many visits were made to sites so far, he acknowledged that it is difficult to track weapons in areas occupied by active conflicts.

According to the official, the United States is unable to visit certain places, such as those near the frontline. However, it provides training to Ukrainian forces to provide better data.

Stinger surface to-air missiles are smaller and more portable than MANPAD. They can win wars but have been sold or lost in the past.

The State Department presented a set of steps that it would take over the next few years to combat the diversion and use of weapons in eastern Europe last week.

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