The head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Igor Klymenko, stated in an interview with the BBC that the country currently holds roughly 1.2 million firearms in civilian hands. He cautioned that by the time hostilities conclude, the figure could rise to about 3 million small arms in circulation among the population.
“It ranges from hunting rifles to service pistols, from standard rifles to non-lethal options, and includes weapons designed for crowd control,” Klymenko explained in the conversation. He emphasized that the tally reflects firearms issued to citizens after the start of the special military operation, but warned there remains a risk that these weapons could end up in the hands of Russian saboteurs or criminal networks.
Authorities have noted that the accounting includes weapons distributed to civilians following the start of the conflict, yet the potential for leakage into illicit channels persists, presenting ongoing security concerns for urban and rural communities alike.
Earlier reports discussed questions around the resale of Western-supplied weapons. The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine has opened nearly ten criminal cases connected to the trafficking and resale of military goods and humanitarian aid, signaling a broader effort to curb illicit redistribution of arms and equipment (official statements cited via BBC coverage).
Analysts point out that Ukraine’s armament landscape is shaped by a combination of civilian firearm ownership, emergency mobilization measures, and the logistics of wartime provisioning. The Ministry has stressed the need for robust controls, verification protocols, and traceability mechanisms to prevent firearms from escaping lawful custody. Experts also note the importance of public education on safe handling, storage, and responsible use, especially in areas experiencing heightened security risks.
Independent researchers and policy observers have highlighted how the civilian firearms issue intersects with law enforcement capacity, border controls, and regional stability. They caution that while arming the civilian population can bolster deterrence and resilience, it also raises questions about accountability, crime prevention, and the potential for accidental injuries. The BBC interview with Klymenko remains a sentinel source for ongoing official assessments as Ukraine navigates these complex dynamics amid ongoing hostilities.
In summary, the current assessment places civilian-owned firearms in the range of about 1.2 million, with projections suggesting a possible climb to 3 million by the duration of the conflict. The conversation underscores both the practical realities of wartime provisioning and the persistent duty to prevent weapon misappropriation, with authorities continuing to pursue enforcement actions and policy safeguards (BBC interview coverage).