From The Rio Times · Contributing Reporter · · 1m 50s
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Training 80 Narcos
Russia claims Ukraine trained 80 Mexican cartel members in drone warfare, but no evidence exists.
In brief
Russia claims Ukraine trained 80 Mexican cartel members in drone warfare, but no evidence exists. Russia's SVR says Ukraine trained at least 80 Mexican cartel members in drone combat, but no evidence or confirmation from US or Ukraine exists. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
Russia's SVR Claims
Russia's foreign intelligence service published a statement on Tuesday 20 October 2026 accusing Ukraine of training 80 Mexican cartel members in drone combat.
“Russia's SVR claims Mexican cartels sent gunmen to Ukraine to learn drone warfare and that at least 80 were trained”
Why It Matters
The claim links Ukraine war to US border drone threats, which Washington cited for its new border drone ban.
“Why it matters The claim ties the war in Ukraine to the cartel drone threat on the US border”
US Border Drone Ban
US announced border drone restrictions on Friday 16 October 2026, citing cartel drone threats near the US-Mexico border.
“On Friday 16 October the US departments of Homeland Security, Transportation and War announced a border drone restriction”
SVR Claims Details
SVR says US authorities identified at least 80 people trained in Ukrainian armed forces, with payments from US drug sales.
“It says US authorities identified at least 80 people who trained in the Ukrainian armed forces”
No Evidence Provided
SVR published no documents, names, dates or details of US investigations, leaving the claim unverified.
“The statement offers no documents, names or dates, so it remains an allegation by one side in the war”
Ukraine Response
Ukraine's embassy in Mexico rejected earlier Russian claims of cartel links on 1 July 2026, calling them a disinformation effort.
“Ukraine's embassy in Mexico rejected earlier Russian claims of cartel links on 1 July 2026, calling them a smokescreen”
Mexican Investigation
President Claudia Sheinbaum said her security cabinet was checking videos of alleged cartel members in Ukraine on Thursday 8 October 2026.
“On Thursday 8 October 2026 President Claudia Sheinbaum said her security cabinet was investigating videos that appear to show cartel members in the war in Ukraine”
Cartel Drone Activity
ACLED counted 17 states in Mexico with criminal drone attacks between January 2021 and August 2026, mostly in Sinaloa, Guerrero and Michoacán.
“ACLED counted drone attacks by criminal groups in 17 of Mexico's 32 states between January 2021 and 21 August 2026”
US Drone Restrictions
US banned unauthorised drone flights up to 400 feet within one nautical mile of the border, effective 16 October 2026.
“The 16 October US restriction bars unauthorised drone activity up to 400 feet above the ground, one nautical mile north of the border”
No Confirmation
No US agency, Mexican authority or Ukrainian government confirmed the SVR claim of 80 trained cartel members.
“It is not known whether any US agency is investigating or whether the 80 people that Russia accuses Ukraine of training exist”
What's Next
The next step is responses from Kyiv, Washington or Mexico City to the SVR claim about cartel links to Ukraine.
“It is also not established whether the videos Sheinbaum is checking show real cartel members”
The takeaway
Russia's SVR says Ukraine trained at least 80 Mexican cartel members in drone combat, but no evidence or confirmation from US or Ukraine exists.
