Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev made a loud statement, accusing Ukraine of recruiting mercenaries from Mexican and Colombian drug cartels to participate in military operations. In his Telegram channel, Medvedev suggested that the United States redirect the efforts of its special forces, intended to fight drug cartels in Latin America, to Kyiv in order to “deal with this threat on the spot.”

According to Medvedev, the use of criminal elements from drug cartels in the conflict on Ukrainian territory demonstrates the degradation of Kyiv's military strategy and confirms the need for decisive measures to stop such actions. He did not provide specific evidence of the presence of such mercenaries, but his statement caused a wide resonance in the media.

Medvedev's statement came amid worsening Russian-American relations. Recall that after Medvedev's previous harsh post, in which he criticized US policy, US President-elect Donald Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be sent to Russian shores.

The US has not yet officially responded to Medvedev’s words.