Ukraine Strengthens Efforts to Combat Illegal Weapons Trafficking
December 01, 2025
On 25 November, Kyiv hosted the Third National Conference on Preventing and Combating Trafficking and Illegal Circulation of Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives in Ukraine. Co-organised by the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the event brought together more than 100 representatives from Ukrainian authorities, international organisations and diplomatic missions. The aim was to strengthen national efforts to counter the illicit trafficking of weapons amid the ongoing security pressures of the war.
Building on this shared objective, the conference offered a forum for Ukrainian and international experts to review current threats and examine gaps in the system. Participants discussed ways to improve national coordination, inter-agency co-operation and international support. European partners also presented best practices to help Ukraine reinforce control measures and align with EU standards.
In this context, EUAM Head of Mission Rolf Holmboe highlighted Ukraine’s progress in establishing the Unified Firearms Register, the Coordination Centre for Combating Illegal Firearms Trafficking and new legislative tools for firearms declaration. “I would like to emphasise the EU Advisory Mission’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in adopting legislation and enhancing operational approaches to firearms management in line with EU standards, as well as in strengthening institutional capacities and developing sustainable inter-agency and international co-operation in this area,” he said. He underlined the need for a National Strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons to clarify responsibilities and guide long-term efforts to prevent illicit proliferation.
The urgency of these reforms was echoed by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Oleksii Serhieiev, who reminded participants that illegal trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives remains a major threat to Ukraine and the European Union. “According to the 2021–2024 Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA), illicit trafficking in arms, ammunition and explosives remains one of the most serious threats to both Ukraine and the European Union. This threat will persist for at least the next decade. Therefore, our coordinated and joint activities in this area will be extremely relevant in the coming years,” he said.
Attention then turned to legislative obstacles. Danyil Trunin from the Prosecutor General’s Office pointed out that inconsistencies of the disposition of Article 263 of the Criminal Code with the current state of firearms legislation, causes constant problems in court proceedings. He stressed the need for the adequate legislative regulation of the circulation of firearms, the issuance of relevant permits, and the handling of found trophy firearms, as this is the main guarantee of compliance with the principle of legal certainty, which is an important part of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Members of the Parliament of Ukraine further outlined the status of draft laws No. 5708 and No. 5709, which seek to introduce an EU-aligned framework for civilian firearms circulation and criminal liability for illegal trafficking of key components. Serhii Ionushas and Oleksandr Danutsa emphasised the importance of finalising these laws to balance national security needs with citizens’ rights and responsible firearms ownership.
Closing the conference, national and international partners reaffirmed their readiness to support the development and implementation of the National Strategy to Combat Illicit Arms Trafficking until 2030, currently being prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in co-operation with the OSCE and EUAM Ukraine.
