Final meeting of the Ukrainian Networking Group within the framework of the 'Supporting Ukraine in addressing the risks of small arms and light weapons proliferation from the Russian war of aggression' project

On 28 August 2025, the Ukrainian Networking Group met in Kyiv to review the outcomes of the Germany-funded project Supporting Ukraine in addressing the risks of small arms and light weapons proliferation from the Russian war of aggression. This was the last meeting of the group under the framework of this project, which ends in December this year.

The event was organized by the Center for Security Studies "СENSS" in partnership with the Small Arms Survey, and brought together 21 network members, including representatives of leading Ukrainian universities,  legal and ballistics researchers, journalists, and experts on illicit arms trafficking.

The workshop opened with remarks from Nicolas Florquin, head of Data and Analytics at the Small Arms Survey, who thanked participants for nearly two and a half years of cooperation. He was joined by Vadym Chernysh, head of the CENSS Governing Council, who emphasized the importance of systematic collaboration and the network’s high level of expertise. Viktoriia Voronina, executive director of CENSS, presented the program and moderated discussions on key themes: legal frameworks, youth perspectives, law enforcement training, arms control terminology, and emerging threats from technologies such as 3D-printed weapons and uncrewed aerial systems.

The meeting also featured the presentation of the project’s forthcoming final report on the proliferation and control of weapons in wartime Ukraine, due for release in November 2025. Nicolas Florquin, Aline Shaban (Associate Researcher at the Small Arms Survey), and Viktoriia Voronina outlined key trends, identified risks, and offered practical recommendations for state institutions and international partners. Their presentations were followed by a discussion where network members shared feedback and perspectives on addressing these challenges.

Participants also reviewed the project’s achievements, activities, and future priorities. A brainstorming session highlighted the need to expand outreach, strengthen social media presence, deepen law enforcement engagement, and provide more specialized training. The group also stressed the importance of working with veterans, updating legislation, advancing advocacy, and preparing for new security risks such as uncrewed aerial systems.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the leadership of CENSS and the Small Arms Survey, who thanked participants for their contributions and reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation.