Hunting has been banned in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, but there is a catch. Oblast administrations can make exceptions, and in 2026 at least six regions have taken advantage of this. Despite certain restrictions, the very fact that animals are being killed, especially in wartime, has sparked public outrage.
EcoPolitic explains where animals can be "harvested" and why people view this so negatively.
Exceptions to the right to life
In early August, it became known that hunting of game birds would be permitted in Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi and Zakarpattia Oblasts. Different periods have been set for when different bird species can be killed. For example, ducks can be hunted from August to December, quail from August to November, and pheasant and grey partridge from October to December.
The hunters' society immediately reminded everyone that everything must be done "by the rules" – in line with current legislation, the orders of hunting ground users and wartime safety rules.
In practice, however, the rules also come with "exceptions". In the very first week of the hunting season in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, environmental inspectors recorded violations – hunting without documents, including the control card for game taken. The fines are purely symbolic, ranging from just UAH 102 to UAH 1,020.
However, it did not stop at birds. In other oblasts, hunting communities began to push narratives that, due to the lack of "population control", the number of foxes, wolves, raccoon dogs and wild boars had increased. They were blamed for posing a threat to people, spreading rabies and even African swine fever. The latter, of course, concerns wild boars.
So from 1 October, hunting was permitted by the Poltava Oblast Military Administration. It did not announce a list of animals, stating only that hunting is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays until 31 December inclusive. Schedules, routes and lists of hunters must be approved by district administrations.
The decision was controversial. As the online outlet "Poltavshchyna" reported, members of the oblast council pointed to the stress that hunting could cause internally displaced persons because of the sound of gunfire. At the same time, the view was expressed that animal numbers could be controlled and diseases prevented through organised sanitary culling rather than weekend entertainment.
On 12 October, hunting was permitted in seven districts of Odesa Oblast. The Oblast Military Administration cited residents' complaints about jackals appearing and crops being damaged, as well as growing numbers of foxes, wolves, raccoon dogs and, again, jackals. The decision was linked to controlling animal populations, including predators. In other words, the killing of other animals has been legalised on the back of these complaints.
Hunting was approved in Berezivka, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odesa, Rozdilna, Izmail, Podilsk and Bolhrad districts.
War, manipulation and hypocrisy
A heated discussion about the permission to kill animals broke out under the same post by the Oblast Military Administration. Some pointed to foxes appearing in their yards or wild boars in the fields, and even wished hunters "good shooting". However, most commenters opposed hunting.
Among the most common arguments was the war, which is already driving the loss of flora and fauna. Another factor is the constant shelling of Odesa Oblast and the psychological trauma of residents, who already hear more than enough gunfire.
People gave examples of effective practices for tackling the stated problems without legalising killing.
Some openly highlight the hypocrisy of the authorities and hunters, since after being allowed to kill supposed predators, hunters simply shoot birds.
There were also doubts about whether the stated reason for the cull was genuine.
Meanwhile, under a post by the Ukrainian Society of Hunters and Fishermen, hunters from the "unblocked" regions openly rejoiced, while those who had not yet been given carte blanche to kill animals and birds complained.
Ban the killing
All these departures from the bans are taking place against the backdrop of an attempt to push through parliament permission to hunt animals as "entertainment and tourism". This refers to Bill No. 15431, which is being actively criticised by both the public and MPs. As EcoPolitic analysed in detail, it effectively introduces "hunting tourism", allows the use of previously banned weapons, the shooting of animals at night and even the killing of dogs and cats if they have the misfortune to stray into hunting grounds.
As a reminder, a number of organisations have consistently called for a complete ban on hunting in Ukraine.
"True courage is defending the country, saving the wounded and protecting others. Shooting defenceless animals is cynical cruelty. We call for a ban on hunting in Ukraine! There is no place in a humane society for entertainment built on death and violence," UAnimals stressed.
As for the spread of rabies, it is worth noting that a large-scale programme to vaccinate wild animals has been launched in Ukraine. Citizens are urged not to touch or move the baits containing the life-saving vaccine.
