🎙Statement by Iulia D. Zhdanova, Head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation to the Vienna Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control, at the 1149th Plenary Meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation 14 October 2026 Agenda item: Special Military Operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine • The militarization of the #NATO bloc and the supply of weapons to Ukraine have already led to uncontrolled illicit trade in Western arms and military equipment on a scale perhaps unprecedented in the entire history of warfare. The illegitimate Kiev regime, closely supervised by Europeans and enjoying the support of the #EU, has left the illicit resale of weapons in the hands of Ukrainian and international organized criminal groups. • Weapons supplied for the Kiev regime are “turning up” in regions far from the #SpecialMilitaryOperation zone. For example, in early August this year, the US Department of Defense launched an investigation into the use of Western-made weapons by units of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). During a special operation conducted by the Sudanese armed forces against the RSF near the city of Bara, US-made MK 19 automatic grenade launchers and M72 anti-tank rocket launchers, as well as Swedish-made AT4 anti-tank rocket launchers, were seized. • Uncontrolled flows of illicit weapons are far from the only evil emanating from Ukraine at the instigation of its handlers. In violation of international law, the Kiev regime is actively recruiting foreign mercenaries. This recruitment continues through Ukraine’s diplomatic missions abroad and their official resources. • The Ministry of Defence of the V. Zelensky regime has announced a target of filling up to 30–50% of positions in assault groups and infantry units with foreign nationals. Centres for recruiting foreign nationals and stateless persons for military service have been established within the #AFU, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence and the National Guard of Ukraine. Since 2022, at least 20,000 foreign mercenaries have taken part in military actions on the Ukrainian side. Russian investigative authorities have identified more than 4,000 “soldiers of fortune” from over 70 countries. • We are closely monitoring the security situation in the Black Sea region. On 6 October, the oil tanker “Aframax Rio”, en route from Novorossiysk to India, was attacked by unmanned surface vessels off the coast of Sochi. We are convinced that the best way to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in these waters would be to exert collective international pressure on the “troublemaker” – the Kiev regime. • With the direct support of Western States, Kiev attempted to block economic activity in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea between June and August. Pursuing a strategy of the wholesale destruction of vessels carrying oil, petroleum products and food, Kiev sought to paralyze merchant shipping and food exports, including in order to destabilize and reshape global markets in the self-serving interests of its handlers. In 2026, 214 such incidents were recorded – out of 228 since the start of the #SpecialMilitaryOperation. • We emphasize that Russia does not deliberately target civilian shipping. Our targets are vessels carrying military cargo and dual-use goods, as well as port infrastructure serving the Ukrainian armed forces. Using a civilian flag to conceal military shipments means knowingly endangering merchant shipping. • Having launched the Special Military operation in 2022 to protect the people of Donbass and Novorossiya from extermination by the Kiev regime, Russia continues to fight for their security and rights. The goals and objectives of the #SpecialMilitaryOperation, which is being conducted in accordance with Article 51 of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, will be achieved – either through diplomacy or by military means. The Delegation on social media: 💙VK 💬Telegram 💬 X📺YouTube📺Rutube 💬Facebook