Only 2% of Ukrainians owned firearms prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, leaving millions of civilians defenseless.
The Ukrainian Arsenal Liberty initiative was formed to champion the changes to Ukrainian law, which will give Ukrainian citizens the right to bear arms.
Ukrainian Arsenal of Liberty (UAL) aims to bridge the gap between Ukrainian civilians’ urgent need for firearms and the deficit of firearms in Ukraine through gun buyback programs and donations.
Whether individuals or organizations donate, we are working on building a sustainable chain of custody and legal framework to ensure civilians can bear arms when threatened in the future.
Learn more about our mission to help Ukrainian citizens defend themselves.
Our Mission
Ukrainian parliament members founded the Ukrainian Arsenal of Liberty to make firearms accessible to Ukrainian civilians for self-defense against the Russian advance. We aim to solicit American citizens, organizations, and wholesalers to donate firearms, ammunition, and support equipment to the Ukraine cause that will be distributed directly to Ukrainian civilians.
Our Vision
Ukrainian Arsenal of Liberty aims to procure firearms in the United States to equip Ukrainian citizens to better defend themselves and increase the country’s defenses against hostility. We believe that training and arming the civilian population in Ukraine is the best form of protection from foreign invasion.
Firearm Training
Firearm safety is an integral aspect of the Ukrainian Arsenal of Liberty’s mission to arm Ukrainian citizens. Our objective through the Firearm Safety Course is to instruct gun holders on the safe ownership, handling, and use of firearms. No civilian will receive a donated firearm from the Ukrainian Arsenal of Liberty without completing the firearm training course or showing they are already trained in firearm use.
How To Donate
Arsenal of Liberty accepts donations of legally owned firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories through our U.S. partner, DTGruelle. Donations are securely collected and transported to us by DTGruelle.
For more information about accepted items or to coordinate a donation,
visit how to help or see UAL’s donation brief.
Scope of Activities
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We aim to procure firearms and ammo directly from American gun owners and retailers. To create awareness, Ukrainian Arsenal of Liberty plans to show at US gun shows nationwide in an attempt to solicit firearm and ammo donations.
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We plan on partnering with US gun store owners to help fundraise through roundups, donation boxes, and sale of merchandise. All the funds raised will go towards purchasing firearms and ammo.
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We want to build relationships and encourage collaboration between the United States Police Force and Ukrainian cities and communities for the distribution of donated firearms to equip territorial defense forces.
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We seek to develop relationships between the Ukrainian local community police units and territorial defense forces with their US counterparts to enable the sharing of firearms and other equipment.
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We are working to develop and adopt firearm ownership legislation in Ukraine that will guarantee gun rights to every Ukrainian. We strongly believe that a well-regulated militia is essential to the security of a free Ukraine and the right of the people to keep and bear arms should be constitutionally guaranteed.
Irpin Makes History
The Kyiv offensive was a theater of warfare from February 24th through April 4th, 2022, during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian capital’s western suburbs, including towns like Bucha & Irpin, erupted in combat as the Russian forces attempted to encircle and ultimately capture Kyiv.
Irpin’s local officials worked alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the town’s civilians to setup defensive positions in preparation for the advancing Russian forces. Critically, the inhabitants of Irpin were given firearms, ammunition, and training to support the defense of their nation.
In the end, Russia’s Kyiv offensive failed and by April of 2022 Ukrainian forces subsequently retook control over Russian-occupied areas in the oblast. Olesandr Markushyn, Mayor of Irpin, was awarded the Order of Courage for his heroic actions to defend the city during Russia’s assault. It was then that the world learned of Irpin’s fate and the impact an armed populace can make against a foreign aggressor.
Our Partners
A licensed Ukrainian gun retailer that can legally import and distribute firearms owned by a gun rights activist.
Praporshchyk
An organization with thousands of members nationwide that works to protect gun owner rights.
Ukrainian Gun Owners Association
A US-based freight-forwarder established in 1982 specializing in international and domestic shipping.
DTGruelle
Our Method of Firearm Distribution
All firearms will be consolidated with our U.S. partner, DTGruelle, who is a Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL”) and licensed international freight forwarder. DTGruelle can provide instructions on how to safely send firearms to their TSA-secured warehouse—please reach out to DTGruelle prior to shipping any donation to their address. Once received by DTGruelle, proper accountability and chain-of-custody over the firearms will be established. All firearms will be appropriately exported under an export permit and shipped overseas with complete command & control over them. Once the firearms reach our Ukraine partner, all firearms will be onboarded with stringent inventory control prior to distribution. Each relinquishment of a firearm will be backed with accurate recordkeeping as to whom a firearm was given.
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