Ukraine has long served as a storage and transit hub for drugs destined for the EU, including heroin, which is typically transported along the Northern and Caucasus routes from Central Asia and the Caucasus. The disruption of traditional routes has forced traffickers to seek alternative paths, increasing the complexity of interdiction efforts.
Fentanyl, flowing from Mexico, has been a focus of U.S. authorities for months. In December, the drug was designated as a weapon of mass destruction, reflecting its high lethality. A lethal dose can be as low as 2 milligrams, roughly 10 to 15 grains of table salt, making it more dangerous than heroin and other opioids.
In September 2025, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel were sent to Ukraine to learn combat drone tactics. Footage reviewed shows units operating modified civilian drones with military-style discipline.
