Igor Klymenko: We are grateful to our strategic partners for their significant contribution to the future Victory
This was emphasized by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine during a consultative meeting of the heads of the Interior of the Baltic States, Poland, Ukraine, Finland and Norway in Vilnius.
At the beginning of the event, Igor Klymenko noted that international partners from the first hours of Russia's full-scale invasion began to provide Ukraine with comprehensive assistance, which is why our country managed to withstand:
“Your contribution to defending the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine cannot be overestimated. You were among those who began to assist us in the very first hours after the start of a full-scale Russian invasion. During these 20 months, we became stronger, gained a lot of new knowledge, mastered previously unknown skills. We went through complex and brutal events — the extermination of civilians in Bucha, mass burials in Izyum, the brutal torture that we found in all the de-occupied territories. In the end, the dams of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power plant were blown up. We remember the help that you, including partners, immediately began to provide us.”
The Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klimenko informed the partners that the investigators have recorded more than 98,000 war crimes committed by the Russian army on the territory of Ukraine. Thus, the National Police created a special base “War Criminal”, where data on 240 thousand people participating in the war against Ukraine have already been entered.
“We are convinced that every person who committed crimes against the Ukrainian people should be punished fairly. And that in any democratic country these war criminals will not have a quiet life. In addition, I thank our Lithuanian and Polish partners for training Ukrainian investigators and forensics and for joining the Joint Investigation Team in collecting evidence base of Russian war crimes,” said Igor Klymenko.
Separately, the parties discussed future threats from Russia regarding strikes on energy facilities during the heating season. Igor Klymenko stressed that the Ukrainian authorities are ready for such scenarios and are doing everything possible to keep the security situation under control, and citizens feel safe even during possible blackouts.
Currently, more than 13,000 “Inviolability Points” have been created in Ukraine, where citizens can charge gadgets, warm up and get help. In addition, the state of civil protection objects is constantly monitored.
Also, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine told the partners that about 30% of the territory of Ukraine is potentially dangerous from the point of view of mine safety. And after the end of the war, it is the Ministry of Internal Affairs that will be the main body for demining:
“More than 144,000 hectares have already been surveyed, but even after clearing the area, it is not completely safe. The enemy is re-shelling most of the de-occupied regions, thus making them dangerous again. Therefore, humanitarian demining is possible after the end of active hostilities. We look forward to the continued support and assistance of international partners in the field of demining.”
Meanwhile, Igor Klymenko told international delegations that despite the war, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is already developing mechanisms for restoring a safe environment in Ukraine after the end of hostilities. We are talking about a number of security bills and measures.
“We are actively developing the network of “Security Centers”, where police, medics and rescuers are based. Currently there are 42 of them, but we will increase their number, because we understand that after the complete de-occupation of Ukraine we will face many tasks and challenges. In addition, we continue to build a video surveillance and video analytics system. International experience shows that the increase in video surveillance systems is a key component of effective security of society,” the head of the department noted.
At the end of the event, the parties agreed to expand further cooperation to ensure a sustainable joint response to any new threats from Russia and Belarus.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our citizens. And we are grateful to our strategic partners for the fact that we are not alone in such a difficult time. Thank you for your determined and ongoing support and assistance. Thank you for your significant contribution to the Victory of Ukraine and the return of security and stability to all European countries,” the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko summed up.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
