Vehicles and equipment for explosives and cynological services: OSCE provided assistance to units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for 1.9 million euros
Today, May 8, within the framework of the project “Support of State Authorities of Ukraine in Preventing and Combating the Illegal Circulation of Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives in All Its Manifestations”, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe handed over to the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs the equipment and vehicles that will be used in the National Police and the State Police Border Service of Ukraine.
“Dear partners, first of all I want to thank you for the many years of cooperation we have with you. Indeed, war has always been and is the factor that increases the risks of illegal arms trafficking in the country. However, thanks to our partners, we are able to act preventively and provide our units with everything they need,” said Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Kateryna Pavlichenko during the event.
Thus, within the framework of the project, the Ministry of Internal Affairs received 20 SUVs and 5 cars for the transport of service dogs. In addition, the units were given equipment for defusing explosive objects, software for criminal analysis, as well as printers, servers and more. The total cost of the transferred equipment is 1.9 million euros.
“The OSCE is dialogue, prevention, peace and security. And we have been working with your department for many years. And it is very good that we can contribute and help you in such difficult times. In particular, the issue of preventing the proliferation of weapons and ammunition. In times of war, this is a great challenge. In turn, working to increase your capabilities, we are doing everything to prevent these weapons from being used illegally against Ukraine and the EU countries,” said the Special Representative of the Presidency — Coordinator of OSCE Projects in Ukraine, Ambassador Marcel Peshko.
In turn, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Kateryna Pavlichenko said that thanks to the fruitful work of the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system, not a single weapon reached the countries of the European Union:
“The security of Ukraine is the security of Europe. And so far, not a single weapon has crossed the borders of our country. In particular, to the countries of the European Union. However, we should not exclude such risks. Therefore, at the moment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs focuses on the circulation of weapons and strengthens the units working in this direction.”
The event was also attended by the head of the political department of the European Union in Ukraine Yaroslav Timofeyuk. The official stressed that the EU remains unchanged in its support for Ukraine and will provide all necessary assistance to our country even after the end of the war.
“Russia constantly violates the rules of the civilized world by attacking civilians. Another consequence of the war is the constant traffic of weapons and military from the Russian side, which enters Ukraine. And so now we have to prepare for all possible challenges,” said Yaroslav Timofeyuk.
At the end of the meeting, the parties inspected the transferred cars and equipment, and agreed to continue to work for the full implementation of the project.
“This is a comprehensive project and approach. And I, for my part, can note that from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine you can count on all the necessary support and cooperation for a common result,” said Kateryna Pavlichenko.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
