Ukraine plans to introduce a cash reward for the voluntary surrender of weapons
Ukraine is preparing to introduce a mechanism for cash payments to civilians who voluntarily hand over to the state certain types of weapons needed by the security and defense forces.
The corresponding bill, No. 15351, proposes amendments to the laws “On Ensuring the Participation of Civilians in the Defense of Ukraine” and “On the National Police” to encourage the removal of weapons from illegal circulation.
Currently, a significant amount of weapons and ammunition is not accounted for in the centralized military inventory, which poses serious security risks.
Current legislation does not provide financial incentives for citizens to turn in such items, even though some of them could be successfully restored, repaired, and used for their intended purpose on the front lines.
The legislative initiative would grant the Ministry of Internal Affairs the authority to compile a list of weapons critical to national defense.
Weapons and ammunition included on this list will no longer be subject to declaration—it is proposed that they be turned in to the National Police in exchange for a monetary reward.
According to the document, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will directly determine the procedure for making such payments.
The procedure for surrendering weapons to the police will be officially equated with voluntary surrender to the authorities, which exempts the individual from criminal liability under Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Implementing this project will require additional budgetary expenditures; however, the authors of the initiative are convinced that the costs will be justified by the acquisition of critically needed weapons.
The explanatory note identifies a reduction in expenditures under the “Reserve Fund” program as one possible source of funding.
Importantly, the buyback will not apply to weapons used to commit a crime or to items with illegally altered markings.
Such weapons will be subject to seizure by the police without any monetary compensation, as they must undergo investigative procedures.
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