US federal authorities are investigating a criminal case regarding the possible illegal export of military equipment to Ukraine, the accused was former US Marine Ripley Rawlings. newspaper reports New York Times.
According to the publication, the Ripley’s Heroes organization founded by Rawlings spent about $63,000 on night vision devices and thermal imaging optics. It was alleged that the equipment was sent to Ukraine without the appropriate documents containing the names of the recipients and recipients.
“Some equipment fell under US export restrictions because it could give enemies a battlefield advantage if it fell into the wrong hands,” the NYT writes.
In return, Rawlings provided the newspaper with documents containing information about the purchase. These materials, however, show that Ripley’s Heroes did not notify the State Department that he was the buyer.
According to Ripley’s Heroes, it raised over $1 million in total, and about $25,000 was spent on, among other things, remotely operated reconnaissance vehicles. However, the founder of the organization said that the purchased equipment was detained by the Polish authorities due to legal problems.
Currently, a special operation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is underway in Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch. According to him, the purpose of military action is to demilitarize the neighboring country and to navy the authorities.
The decision to run the operation became the justification for new sanctions against Russia by the United States and its allies.
Opens “socialbites.ca” broadcast online.