DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL REGULATION OF ILLEGAL ARMS TRAFFICKING: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 263 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF UKRAINE AND THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICE

The article is devoted to a detailed analysis of the evolution of legal regulation of illegal arms trafficking in Ukraine, focusing on the amendments to Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The article thoroughly examines the main legislative innovations introduced to this article and their impact on law enforcement practice. The author analyzes the problematic aspects arising in the course of application of the updated provisions and suggests ways to resolve them. Particular attention is paid to the comparison of national legislation with international standards in the field of arms control, which allows identifying shortcomings and gaps in the legal regulation of this area in Ukraine. The article contains a detailed analysis of the court practice on the application of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, highlighting the main trends and problems in the interpretation and implementation of legislative changes. In addition, the article addresses the issue of compliance of national norms with Ukraine’s international obligations, in particular in the context of cooperation with international organizations and implementation of international agreements on arms control. The authors offer comprehensive recommendations for improving legal norms in order to increase the effectiveness of the fight against illicit arms trafficking. The proposed ways of improvement include both regulatory and legal measures and organizational and practical steps aimed at improving law enforcement practice. The study has significant scientific and practical potential, as it systematizes legal innovations, analyzes current problems of their application, and suggests effective ways to improve legal regulation in the field of combating illicit arms trafficking. It takes into account the current realities of criminal justice in Ukraine, in particular, the growing number of crimes related to the illegal use of firearms and explosives, which is a consequence of military operations in the east of the country and the rise of organized crime. The practical value of the work lies in the fact that its results can be used at different levels: both in the field of research and directly in the process of law enforcement. For scholars, it is a source for further research, as it highlights the specifics of the development of criminal legislation in the context of European integration and globalization. For practicing lawyers and attorneys, the study offers analytical tools that can be used in the preparation of legal positions in criminal cases related to illegal arms trafficking.