NL: Dutch weapons at Russian Volunteer Corps ‘not verifiable’
The Dutch cabinet says it cannot determine whether Dutch weapons have ended up in the hands of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a far‑right militia that is part of Ukraine’s International Legion. This was written by Minister for Foreign Trade Sjoerdsma, also on behalf of the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, in response to parliamentary questions from SP lawmaker Dobbe.
The questions followed media reports claiming that the Russian Volunteer Corps is in possession of Dutch‑made C7NLD rifles. According to the cabinet, the wartime situation in Ukraine makes it difficult to verify such reports. The government says it has no independent information indicating that Ukraine is violating the conditions attached to the delivery of Dutch military equipment.
What is the Russian Volunteer Corps?
The Russian Volunteer Corps is a far‑right militia composed of Russian citizens, based in Ukraine. The group reportedly consists of Russian émigrés primarily united by their opposition to President Putin. Assessments of its ideology vary from white nationalist to neo‑Nazi. The RVC itself says it holds right‑wing conservative views and rejects extremist labels. Its founder and leader is Russian national Denis Kapustin, a neo‑Nazi who was banned from the Schengen Area in 2019.
(source: Wikipedia)
Conditions for Ukraine
The government nevertheless stresses that it is undesirable for Dutch weapons to end up with non‑governmental military organizations that adhere to far‑right or neo‑Nazi ideologies. Dutch arms deliveries to Ukraine are assessed in advance against European export control criteria, and Ukraine is required to sign end‑user certificates declaring that the equipment will be used exclusively by Ukrainian forces and in accordance with international law.
The cabinet says it has no independent information regarding possible violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian Volunteer Corps.
