A set of preventive measures for the withdrawal of unregistered weapons, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices from circulation

May 19, 2026

In order to counter the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and explosives, as well as to improve the criminogenic situation associated with their use in the Vitebsk region, from May 19 to May 31, 2026, a set of preventive measures to remove unregistered weapons, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices from circulation has been initiated. Within this framework, citizens can apply to the internal affairs department of the Glubokoye District Executive Committee with a statement about the voluntary surrender of weapons and ammunition. It should be noted that citizens who voluntarily surrender weapons and ammunition are exempted from criminal and administrative liability.
Despite the measures taken, the problem of citizens storing unaccounted for weapons remains relevant, which leads to crimes and suicides committed with their use.
Many dangerous items are inherited by owners from deceased relatives, including participants of the Great Patriotic War. Front-line soldiers kept rarities for decades, but often did not show their hiding places even to their closest ones. Now, heirs often stumble upon weapons in houses or outbuildings, for example, during repairs.
If you find a weapon belonging to a deceased person, you should immediately report it to law enforcement officers. It is not recommended to transport the find yourself, this applies to both registered and unaccounted for units. If the deceased legally owned the weapon, police officers will take it for responsible storage. After inheriting the property, the new owner will dispose of it as they see fit. This includes handing it over for disposal or selling it.
The shadow market continues to be saturated by "black diggers". They go to the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War with metal detectors and sometimes unearth entire arsenals. Some collect rarities, others sell them.
But this carries a severe penalty…
Illegal manufacturing, acquisition, sale, storage, transportation, carrying of firearms (except hunting smoothbore), ammunition, explosives, explosive devices are punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years. A person who commits this act repeatedly or as part of a group by prior conspiracy risks spending up to 12 years in a correctional institution. The court may also impose a fine on the guilty party.
Illegal possession of smoothbore weapons entails administrative liability: a monetary penalty in the amount of 10 to 30 base units with the possibility of deprivation of the right to engage in certain activities.
Law enforcement agencies are grateful to everyone who reports illegally stored weapons or surrenders them, for their active civic position. You will protect not only yourself but also others, as such items can fall into the hands of criminals.
In order to prevent weapon theft, the internal affairs bodies recommend that owners equip their living quarters or storage locations with a security alarm system connected to the centralized monitoring panel of the Department of Protection units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
By phone 8-029-5972174, 30859, 58121 or by phone 102. You can report information about illegally stored weapons, ammunition and explosives, as well as obtain information on the procedure for voluntary surrender of such items.

Senior Inspector for Licensing
Department of Public Order and Prevention
Internal Affairs Department of the Glubokoye District Executive Committee                              Yuri Voytekhovich