{"id":2159522,"date":"2026-09-22T11:46:52","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T08:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159522"},"modified":"2026-09-22T11:46:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T08:46:52","slug":"exclusive-eu-countries-sound-alarm-over-weapons-brought-back-from-ukraine-front-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159522","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: EU countries sound alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine front line"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/31\/81\/1200x675_cmsv2_ced8d6f2-f5ef-5e7f-94d3-1d4043b0ddb3-9923181.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in Catholic schools sparks controversy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927986-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2927986\" data-cid=\"9924617\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927986-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a0864b7d-4484-547d-a208-7d8e0954a403-9924617.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ring in Athens\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928112-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928112\" data-cid=\"9925371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928112-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/53\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_fde5fe82-f1c7-5091-b65b-61329d786eca-9925371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s President Masoud Pezeshkian holds an image of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN headquarters, 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will not be bullied but will negotiate\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928056-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928056\" data-cid=\"9925190\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928056-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/49\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_40ac2e97-a60f-5304-9b4f-dc00e1190b72-9924909.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Maricarmen, who is 87-years-old. Pictured speaking to media on the street. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain: 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928092-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928092\" data-cid=\"9925305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928092-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_8b84ca08-5d39-5697-82ec-76181e56a81c-9925036.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV will be visiting France from 25 to 28 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Day devoted to the Pope in Catholic schools sparks controversy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927986-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2927986\" data-cid=\"9924617\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927986-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a0864b7d-4484-547d-a208-7d8e0954a403-9924617.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ring in Athens\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928112-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2928112\" data-cid=\"9925371\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928112-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/53\/71\/189x106_cmsv2_fde5fe82-f1c7-5091-b65b-61329d786eca-9925371.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s President Masoud Pezeshkian holds an image of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN headquarters, 23 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will not be bullied but will negotiate\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Exclusive: EU countries sound alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine front line<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/31\/81\/1536x864_cmsv2_ced8d6f2-f5ef-5e7f-94d3-1d4043b0ddb3-9923181.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\" Ukrainian soldiers walk along the street in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n               Ukrainian soldiers walk along the street in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/ Iryna Rybakova<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/ Iryna Rybakova\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspLuca Bertuzzi\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790077612\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-22 13:46:52 +02:00\">22\/09\/2026 &#8211; 13:46 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"14:01\">14:01<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Returning soldiers from Ukraine&#8217;s front are bringing weapons and military gear into the European Union, a confidential document warns, raising concerns over battlefield-equipment smuggling into the bloc.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Soldiers returning from the front line in Ukraine are bringing back weapons and military equipment, raising concerns that battlefield components could start circulating within the European Union, according to a confidential EU document seen by Euronews.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The risk of firearms being diverted from the battlefield will be discussed by EU ambassadors on Wednesday, as European authorities step up efforts to track weapons entering the bloc.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Member states have reported weapon components and military equipment in the possession of returning combatants,&#8221; reads the EU Council document, which focuses on the war in Ukraine&#8217;s impact on EU internal security.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;While not necessarily connecting these individuals to organised smuggling activities, these detections demonstrate a potential risk of military components or other battlefield equipment being transported from Ukraine into the EU,&#8221; the document continues.<\/p>\n<p>In recent months, several EU countries have pushed to bar former and current Russian combatants from entering the bloc over potential security risks, namely their involvement in sabotage and hybrid attacks on European soil. <\/p>\n<p>The ban was included in the 21st sanctions package but was eventually watered down following opposition from France and Italy.<\/p>\n<p>However, at an informal meeting of foreign ministers earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there was &#8220;broad support&#8221; to move forward with the visa ban, following an attempted drone attack in Leipzig in which one of the suspects reportedly entered the Schengen area on a tourist visa issued by Italy.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Estonia has launched an intelligence-sharing operation with other countries on the so-called eastern flank to pool entry-refusal decisions against identified Russian combatants based on a judicial or administrative ruling.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Foreign fighters, either volunteers or mercenaries, continue to pose a risk, as they acquire military skills and experience that could be further exploited once they withdraw from the conflict zone to engage in criminal activities or terrorism,&#8221; the document adds.<\/p>\n<p>But the concern is not limited to Russian combatants. It also extends to Ukrainians returning from the frontline, particularly in member states hosting large numbers of Ukrainian refugees, such as Germany, Poland and Czechia.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, authorities in these countries point out that the security issue relates to the EU as a whole, since they are part of Schengen, and that soldiers reuniting with their families are unlikely to sell those weapons legally, Euronews understands.<\/p>\n<p>According to a report published in March by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, there is currently no substantial weapon inflow from Ukraine to neighbouring countries, but weapon circulation remains a &#8220;structural risk.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kyiv, for its part, has already established a National Firearms Focal Point that supplies Europol with lists of seized, stolen or lost firearms.<\/p>\n<p>Europol, the EU&#8217;s law enforcement agency, is directly involved and is due to establish a dedicated Firearms Hub by the first quarter of 2027 to improve the analysis and exchange of data on seized weapons. <\/p>\n<p>Ukraine is also expected to adopt a dedicated roadmap on firearms trafficking by the end of this year, following the model of one already undertaken in the Western Balkans. Specific benchmarks on the issue have even been written into Ukraine&#8217;s accession negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>Frontex, the EU&#8217;s border agency, has also issued specific instructions for border guards and customs authorities on firearm diversion, with a focus on Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One of the most significant long-term concerns in the context of Russia&#8217;s war of aggression against Ukraine is the proliferation and diversion of firearms and other SALW [Small Arms and Light Weapons]. So far, few weapons have been seized and few arrests made,&#8221; the document says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU countries showed &#8216;broad support&#8217; for moving forward with visa ban for Russian combatants, Kallas says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU narrows ban on Russian combatants to appease France and Italy<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU ban on Russian combatants faces resistance from France and Italy<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Weapons<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  War in Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Schengen Area<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927978-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927978\" data-cid=\"9924513\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927978-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/45\/13\/320x180_cmsv2_833d3d30-14d3-531f-b7e3-aaef94ed1605-9924513.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A boy pauses with his bicycle at the water&apos;s edge on a beach, looking toward commercial vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, 7 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kallas urges free passage through Hormuz after talks with Iran&#8217;s FM<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927727-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927727\" data-cid=\"9923183\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927727-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/31\/83\/320x180_cmsv2_419eeca3-30bd-544e-b131-65279962abef-9923183.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A customer fuels his vehicle at an Essence gas station in Paris, 5 April 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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A mine for rare earth elements including neodymium and praseodymium which are essential for the production of permanent magnets in Brazil\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway says Europe&#8217;s &#8216;largest&#8217; rare-earth mine plan set for 2028<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928094-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928094\" data-cid=\"9925050\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928094-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/50\/50\/320x180_cmsv2_de81d247-da83-56f5-a191-2afbca25c802-9925050.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner for Enlargement 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and faces backlash for cover art<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927504-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927504\" data-cid=\"9922016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fuel taxes in Europe: Which country taxes petrol the most?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927773-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927773\" data-cid=\"9923538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;I&#8217;m done with medical abuse&#8217;: actor Arnaud Denis dies by euthanasia in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927726-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927726\" data-cid=\"9923181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU sounds alarm over weapons brought back from Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Soldiers returning from the front line in Ukraine are bringing back weapons and military equipment, raising concerns that battlefield components could start circulating within the European Union, according to a confidential EU document seen by Euronews.The risk of firearms being diverted from the battlefield will be discussed by EU ambassadors on Wednesday, as European authorities step up efforts to track weapons entering the bloc.&#8221;Member states have reported weapon components and military equipment in the possession of returning combatants,&#8221; reads the EU Council document, which focuses on the war in Ukraine&#8217;s impact on EU internal security.&#8221;While not necessarily connecting these individuals to organised smuggling activities, these detections demonstrate a potential risk of military components or other battlefield equipment being transported from Ukraine into the EU,&#8221; the document continues.In recent months, several EU countries have pushed to bar former and current Russian combatants from entering the bloc over potential security risks, namely their involvement in sabotage and hybrid attacks on European soil.The ban was included in the 21st sanctions package but was eventually watered down following opposition from France and Italy.However, at an informal meeting of foreign ministers earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there was &#8220;broad support&#8221; to move forward with the visa ban, following an attempted drone attack in Leipzig in which one of the suspects reportedly entered the Schengen area on a tourist visa issued by Italy.Meanwhile, Estonia has launched an intelligence-sharing operation with other countries on the so-called eastern flank to pool entry-refusal decisions against identified Russian combatants based on a judicial or administrative ruling.&#8221;Foreign fighters, either volunteers or mercenaries, continue to pose a risk, as they acquire military skills and experience that could be further exploited once they withdraw from the conflict zone to engage in criminal activities or terrorism,&#8221; the document adds.But the concern is not limited to Russian combatants. It also extends to Ukrainians returning from the frontline, particularly in member states hosting large numbers of Ukrainian refugees, such as Germany, Poland and Czechia.At the same time, authorities in these countries point out that the security issue relates to the EU as a whole, since they are part of Schengen, and that soldiers reuniting with their families are unlikely to sell those weapons legally, Euronews understands.According to a report published in March by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, there is currently no substantial weapon inflow from Ukraine to neighbouring countries, but weapon circulation remains a &#8220;structural risk.&#8221;Kyiv, for its part, has already established a National Firearms Focal Point that supplies Europol with lists of seized, stolen or lost firearms.Europol, the EU&#8217;s law enforcement agency, is directly involved and is due to establish a dedicated Firearms Hub by the first quarter of 2027 to improve the analysis and exchange of data on seized weapons.Ukraine is also expected to adopt a dedicated roadmap on firearms trafficking by the end of this year, following the model of one already undertaken in the Western Balkans. Specific benchmarks on the issue have even been written into Ukraine&#8217;s accession negotiations.Frontex, the EU&#8217;s border agency, has also issued specific instructions for border guards and customs authorities on firearm diversion, with a focus on Ukraine.&#8221;One of the most significant long-term concerns in the context of Russia&#8217;s war of aggression against Ukraine is the proliferation and diversion of firearms and other SALW [Small Arms and Light Weapons]. So far, few weapons have been seized and few arrests made,&#8221; the document says.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/22\/exclusive-eu-countries-sound-alarm-over-weapons-brought-back-from-ukraine-front-line&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/31\/81\/1200x675_cmsv2_ced8d6f2-f5ef-5e7f-94d3-1d4043b0ddb3-9923181.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Spain: 87-year-old woman evicted from home by force Europe News Day devoted to the Pope in Catholic schools sparks controversy The Ring Who can afford to live in Greece? The Ring in Athens Iran Pezeshkian tells UN Iran will not be bullied but will negotiate Europe News Spain: 87-year-old woman [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2159522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2159522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159522\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2159522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2159522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2159522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}