In Russia, there has been a notable rise in crimes involving weapons and explosives, with a 50 percent increase reported in the first month of the year compared with the same period last year. This statistic references materials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is cited by TASS. The Ministry’s release notes that in January 2023, a total of 611 offenses were recorded that involved firearms, ammunition, explosives, or counterfeit devices, representing a 49% year-over-year rise. [citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
Breaking down the regional data reveals a striking surge in several areas. The Belgorod region saw the most dramatic growth, with a reported increase of 4,100%. Following closely are Bryansk and Kursk, reporting rises of 1,300% and 1,233% respectively. Moscow and Buryatia also appear among the top five regions with significant increases of 533% and 400%. These percentages reflect how localized incidents can skew national trend lines when a few hotspots experience sharp spikes. [citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
The same update notes that offenses tied to illegal circulation of weapons rose to about 1.6 thousand cases, up by roughly 2.4% from the previous January. In addition, there was a 16.7% uptick in detected cases of theft and extortion involving weapons, ammunition, explosives, and related devices, with the total reaching 56 offenses. These figures underscore ongoing concerns about unauthorized possession and trafficking of dangerous items within the country. [citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
Law enforcement officials linked the pronounced increases in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions to shelling activity from neighboring conflicts. This context helps explain why these areas reported such sharp changes, though it does not necessarily imply a uniform trend across all regions. It highlights how external pressures can influence domestic crime dynamics, especially where cross-border spillover and security risks intersect with local criminal economies. [citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
Looking back at the broader year-to-date perspective, the Ministry reported that the number of crimes involving weapons and explosives during the eleven months of 2022 rose by about one-third compared with 2021. This longer view indicates that the upward trajectory in weapon-related offenses was already underway prior to the current January reporting period, signaling persistent challenges in controlling illicit access to unlawful devices and maintaining public safety. [citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]