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A recent Pentagon report has disclosed that over $1 billion in US weapons and equipment sent to Ukraine lacks proper tracking. The total value of these items, which require special monitoring due to sensitive military technology, amounts to $1.69 billion. The report indicates that nearly 60% of these assets still need to be fully accounted for.

The Defense Department’s inspector general, while not suggesting any misuse or diversion of the weapons after shipment to Ukraine, clarified that determining such diversions was beyond the scope of their evaluation. The report’s findings, released to Congress and the public in a redacted form, have raised concerns about the oversight of these military assets.

The report specifically identified about 40,000 weapons that were not adequately tracked due to various reasons, including delays in database updates and personnel limitations. Despite the provision of handheld barcode scanners to Ukrainian defense personnel, logistical challenges and the hostile environment have hindered comprehensive inventory efforts. The inspector general’s report highlights the risks associated with the lack of complete accountability, such as potential theft or diversion.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder assured that there is “no credible evidence of illicit diversion of US-provided advanced conventional weapons from Ukraine,” attributing the concerns to Russian disinformation.

As the conflict in Ukraine approaches its second year, this revelation is likely to fuel debate in Congress over the provision of further military aid to Ukraine. A new aid package, crucial for Ukraine’s economy and military efforts against Russia, has been stalled, raising concerns about giving Russian forces a strategic advantage. The need for increased oversight of military assistance is driving growing skepticism among lawmakers about additional aid for Ukraine.