Members of the UN Security Council have traded barbs over Russia's claim that weapons provided to Ukraine by Western countries have been diverted to terrorists.

The council held the meeting on Friday at the request of Russia.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, pointed to the risk of weapons supplied to Ukraine falling into the hands of terrorists and criminals. He condemned Western countries for not understanding that the weapons are increasing threats to international peace and security.

Ukraine's ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, said his country "has created and ensured effective functioning of a multi-level system of arms control."

Western countries refuted Russia's claim, saying there is no evidence.

Britain's ambassador, Barbara Woodward, pointed out that Russia is attacking Ukraine with weapons such as drones sourced from Iran, in violation of a Security Council resolution.

US Deputy Representative to the UN Richard Mills argued Russia has an incentive to spread disinformation about weapons diversion in order to create a false narrative about assistance from Western nations to weaken international support for Ukraine.