Italian mafia wants to use strike drones like in Ukraine
Photo: A batch of FPV drones (armyinform.com.ua)
The Italian mafia is trying to obtain ammunition for attack drones similar to those used in the war in Ukraine, according to ANSA.
Palermo Chief Prosecutor Maurizio de Lucia raised concerns about the new threat during a meeting of the Italian parliamentary anti-mafia commission.
According to him, law enforcement agencies have already uncovered weapons that entered Italy through the Balkans.
"We have found weapons originating from Salento (in Puglia) but which actually came from the Balkans - the former Yugoslavia," the prosecutor said.
However, he said the greatest concern is the interest of mafia groups in more advanced weapons that have appeared on the black market since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
"We are aware of the Mafia's interest in more sophisticated weapons. For example, those that have emerged on the black market during the Russia-Ukraine war. We have indications of purchases of drone-launched munitions—weapons against which we are unprepared to defend ourselves," de Lucia said.
He added that mafia organizations are trying to build a high-tech weapons arsenal. According to the prosecutor, this trend is being observed not only in the Palermo area but also in other regions of Italy.
It was previously reported that Ukraine has not only significantly expanded its production of combat drones but has also become one of the world leaders in this field.
This is also reflected in an assessment by the Pentagon. According to US Defense Department official Travis Metz, current US production volumes represent only a small share of Ukraine's output, although Washington is already working to accelerate the development of its own drone industry.
