Rati Burduli, a Georgian volunteer fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia, has shared what he claims is an official order from Georgia’s Interior Ministry revoking gun permits for Georgian nationals engaged in the conflict. The document, posted on Instagram, cites a conviction under Russia’s criminal code for alleged mercenary activity as the reason for the revocation.
The order does not clarify whether it targets Burduli specifically or applies broadly to all Georgians convicted by Russian courts on similar charges. Its authenticity has not been independently confirmed.
The opposition-aligned outlet Publika reported that it reached out to the Interior Ministry for verification and further details but had not received a response as of publication.
Burduli is a prominent member of the Georgian Legion and has received a medal of courage from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has been tried in absentia multiple times in Russia, including a March 2025 conviction for alleged involvement in terrorist acts during a Ukrainian operation in Russia’s Kursk region—a claim he firmly denies.
In April, Russia designated Burduli as a terrorist.
Georgian fighters, particularly those within the Georgian Legion—which has been active since Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine—make up one of the largest contingents of foreign volunteers in Ukraine’s defense forces.
While there was unease from Tbilisi with the number of Georgians fighting in Ukraine from 2014, tensions increased after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 as more Georgians joined the conflict.
Since then, Georgian Dream officials have threatened that Georgians fighting in Ukraine could be stripped of their citizenship and accused the Georgian Legion of being implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
At present, there are no confirmed reports indicating that the Georgian government has revoked gun permits for citizens who volunteered to fight in Ukraine following a Russian court order. However, recent developments suggest increasing scrutiny of these individuals by Georgian authorities.
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) has reportedly summoned several Georgian volunteers who fought against Russian forces in Ukraine for questioning. These interrogations are linked to allegations of involvement in a coup plot and terrorism-related activities. Notably, individuals such as Nadim Khmaladze and Lasha Chigladze have been questioned under these charges.
Mamuka Mamulashvili, commander of the Georgian Legion—a unit of Georgian volunteers fighting in Ukraine—has stated that approximately 300 of his fighters are now wanted by Georgian authorities. He alleges that the SSG is collaborating with Russian security services and has expressed concerns about potential extraditions to Russia.
These actions have drawn criticism from international organizations. The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has expressed deep concern over Georgia’s decision to place these volunteers on a wanted list, urging the Georgian government to reconsider and highlighting the volunteers’ contributions to defending Ukraine’s sovereignty.
While there is no official confirmation regarding the revocation of gun permits, the ongoing investigations and legal actions against Georgian volunteers returning from Ukraine indicate a significant shift in the government’s stance towards these individuals.
Header image: Rati Burduli
