Budanov Opposes Civilian Gun Legalization After Recent Violence in Ukraine

The chief of Ukraine’s Presidential Office has warned that wider access to firearms could increase deadly incidents, citing recent attacks. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by Kyrylo Budanov/Facebook) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said Thursday he is opposed to legalizing short-barreled firearms for civilians, warning it could lead to a rise in violent incidents across Ukraine. Budanov – who previously served as the head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) – said he has consistently opposed expanding access to weapons among the public. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “This has never worked and will not work now,” he said while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Kyiv Security Forum on Thursday, April 23, as reported by Ukrainian outlet Hromadske . “There are always two sides – an imagined sense of protection, and a real increase in incidents like those we have seen in recent days,” he added. Budanov said Ukraine should instead focus on strengthening law enforcement and security services, adding that systemic issues in oversight and accountability remain unresolved. He also questioned how individuals with controversial backgrounds were able to obtain firearm permits, suggesting gaps in the current system. Budanov called for a “balance” in which citizens comply with police demands, while officers are granted clear legal boundaries to act decisively when needed. On Saturday, April 18, a shooting in Kyiv left seven people dead and at least 14 injured. A gunman opened fire in the city’s Holosiivskyi district before barricading himself inside a supermarket with hostages. After about 40 minutes of negotiations, special forces stormed the building and killed the attacker. Other Topics of Interest Germany and Czechia Summon Russian Envoys Over Alleged Threats Both governments said Moscow issued warnings against companies linked to Ukraine’s defense industry, prompting diplomatic protests. Authorities said the suspect, a 58-year-old man, carried out the attack following a domestic dispute. The incident sparked public outrage and scrutiny of police response after footage showed patrol officers leaving the scene while civilians, including an injured child, remained under threat. On Tuesday, April 21, local media reported another shooting, reportedly involving the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and corrupt military and police personnel, where the latter group was said to have operated an extortion scheme that ultimately resulted in a chase and gunfight during an SBU operation to crack down on the scheme. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.