Dealers are selling war trophies to buy weapons for Ukraine
A sometimes gruesome trade helps defenders on the front lines
Strange packages often arrive at Greg’s flat in Zaporizhia, in south-eastern Ukraine. Sometimes they contain military jackets, helmets and backpacks. But armoured plates and fragments of destroyed rockets are also common. These war trophies are sent to him by Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, so he can sell them online. Sometimes the goods are too gory to trade. “I had a helmet with parts of brain attached,” says Greg, who like other dealers did not want his full name used.
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The shrapnel dealers”
Europe May 11th 2024
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- Dealers are selling war trophies to buy weapons for Ukraine
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- Romania’s hard right looks strong in a year of four elections
- Why Eurovision won’t boot out Israel
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