Cabinet explains how territorial defense volunteers may use hunting rifles lethally in case of invasion of Ukraine

A personal hunting rifle may be used by all members of volunteer formations when performing territorial defense tasks in the event of external attacks.

On January 20, the Cabinet of Ministers published the procedure for members of volunteer formations of territorial communities to use personal hunting weapons and ammunition for them when performing territorial defense tasks. The corresponding resolution No. 1448 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 29, 2021.

"In accordance with part three of Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Principles of National Resistance", approve the Procedure for the use by members of volunteer formations of territorial communities of personal hunting weapons and ammunition for them when performing territorial defense tasks," the resolution says.

The resolution entered into force on January 1, 2022.

In particular, the Procedure states that all members of volunteer formations may use personal hunting weapons and ammunition for them when performing territorial defense tasks.

At the same time, the manufacture, acquisition, storage and accounting of personal hunting weapons and ammunition for them are carried out in accordance with the requirements of legislation.

When carrying or transporting personal hunting weapons, members of volunteer formations may keep them loaded and outside a special cover, case, sleeve, etc., but only while performing territorial defense tasks.

In this case, a weapons permit and a territorial defense volunteer ID are required.

Members of volunteer formations (who are not servicemembers) have the right to use personal hunting weapons when performing territorial defense tasks for:

1. protecting civilians and/or civilian objects from attack,
2. repelling an attack or preventing the threat of an attack on protected objects,
3. freeing seized military and/or civilian objects or preventing (hindering) such seizure,
4. destroying weapons, combat vehicles, transport or technical means used by persons involved in armed aggression,
5. preventing and/or ending the activities, detaining, disarming or neutralizing persons involved in armed aggression,
6. stopping actions of persons who have committed or are committing offenses,
7. stopping actions of persons obstructing the lawful demands of persons engaged in territorial defense tasks,
8. stopping actions of persons who pose or may pose a danger to persons engaged in territorial defense tasks or other persons.

Lethal use by members of volunteer formations of personal hunting weapons and ammunition for them during territorial defense tasks is permitted for individual self-defense, self-defense, and for the purpose of repelling armed aggression against Ukraine and carrying out measures to ensure national security and defense, repulse and deter armed aggression.

By another resolution of December 29, 2021, No. 1449 the government approved the regulation on volunteer formations of territorial communities, which determines the procedure for their creation and staffing.

The new Law of Ukraine "On the Principles of National Resistance", which has been in effect since January 1, 2022, distinguishes between the concepts of "military units of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" and "volunteer formations of territorial communities".