Serhiy Deyneko: Border guards have shown the ability to effectively respond to modern threats, from the pandemic to Russian aggression and have provided reliable border protection
The Administration of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine held an extended meeting of the Collegium at the end of the first half of this year, which also determined further tasks for the border guards. In addition, the participants of the event discussed the issue of motivation for military service in the department.
As noted by the Head of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine Serhiy Deineko, in the first half of the year, border guards continued to counteract the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and responded to manifestations of other major threats. Among them, he noted, in particular, the increase of Russia's military presence near the borders of Ukraine, the complication of the socio-political situation in the Republic of Belarus and the strengthening of Russian influence on the official Minsk.
“No matter how difficult the first half of the year was, we managed to ensure control over the situation and the proper level of protection of the state border,” Serhiy Deineko said.
He added that the Service ensured the readiness of forces and means for action in the face of a sharp increase in the military presence of the Russian Federation near the borders of Ukraine, as well as carried out a set of measures to check the readiness and increase the capacity of combat reserves.
“The priority of our work remains the development of rapid response units, strengthening their combat capabilities and their acquisition of capabilities according to NATO standards,” he said.
The head of the State Border Guard Service thanked all personnel who continue to serve conscientiously in this difficult time. In addition, the participants honored the memory of all those who gave their lives protecting Ukraine's borders and independence. In particular, it was noted that July 2014 was one of the most difficult for border guards — the border guards lost 27 comrades.
The Collegium also stressed the intensification of illegal activities related to the illegal movement of goods across the border, especially cigarettes, violations with the use of small aviation, organized forms of smuggling of significant volumes of cargo under “gray schemes”.
In total, according to the results of operational and official activities of the Border Guard Service, 17 thousand attempts to violate the state border, and 441 persons out of the total number of violators are illegal migrants. Border guards seized 235 units of weapons, more than 10,000 ammunition and 152 kg of narcotic substances. The illegal movement of goods in the amount of 465 million hryvnias was also prevented, and the “green berets” detained 4 manned and 13 unmanned aircraft smugglers.
Attending the meeting, the People's Deputy of Ukraine Pavlo Sushko, who is part of the Board of the Border Agency, noted the importance of decent provision of the State Border Service of Ukraine, and not on the residual principle. He stressed that, together with colleagues from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, he is actively working on the development of the necessary qualitative changes in the legislation on border issues.
Pavlo Sushko thanked the border guards for selfless work and service at the border and emphasized the need to continue motivation and encouragement of personnel.
“Despite the problems, there is a lot of positivity and significant resonant detentions. So continue to reliably protect Ukraine's border. The state border service at a high level is marked by the state leadership,” he added.
During the meeting, the Head of the Border Agency stressed that the State Border Guard Service continued to develop in a planned manner. An important area of work remained the improvement of the procedures of transit operations and the continued testing of new standards for the construction of state border protection. Work on the introduction of the pre-processing system of passenger information has also been stepped up, and after a long break, joint patrols on the border with Romania and Hungary have been resumed.
Long-term high-quality cooperation with law enforcement agencies of neighboring states and international institutions. As Serhiy Deineko noted, thanks to the active involvement of international technical assistance, which amounted to more than 72 million hryvnias, the capabilities of border units are significantly strengthened. With the support of American partners, the first training complex for UAV operators in Ukraine has been equipped.
In addition, the border guards did not stop building the engineering and technical arrangement of the border, the system of illumination of the surface situation and to carry out work on the development of the maritime and aviation component.
Serhiy Deineko also once again emphasized to the heads of the State Fiscal Service bodies about the proper attitude and attitude towards subordinates and work to increase motivation for serving in the department.
“Among the main priorities of the activity of our department is undoubtedly ensuring proper conditions of service and a decent social package for border guards, where monetary security and housing issues are a separate line. The second is the opportunity for professional promotion, success and satisfaction from the chosen profession of border guard,” the head of the department noted.
Press service of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine
