Ukrainian intelligence to strengthen its presence along Russian border
During a visit to the Sumy region, the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), Vasyl Hrytsak said that one of the main tasks of the SSU now is to counter Russian aggression. The SSU’s press service reports Hrytsak as saying "We have to strengthen the counterintelligence regime on the border with the Russian aggressor.” He explained that the SSU’s current tasks include countering Russian aggression via economic, informational and political means.
"We will continue to strengthen the fight against corruption, smuggling and domestic political instability inspired by the Russian aggressor. The importance of maintaining socio-political stability in the region and in the country as a whole is our main task as well,” Hrytsak said.
The fighting in Eastern Ukraine between the Ukrainian government forces and the pro-Russian militants supported by Moscow started in April, 2014 and continues today.
On the 29th of March, 2016 the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) allowed the internal and private security of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine to engage in counter-intelligence activities.
In accordance with the adopted document, the Security Service of Ukraine intends to involve in the counter-intelligence activities the divisions of internal security which will allow Ukraine to strengthen its position on the border.
In late July, Ukrainian authorities released information about the possible escalation of the conflict in the Donbass region. On the 4th of August, the Main directorate of intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that Russian-backed militants have the capability to go on the offensive at Donetsk and Slavyansk areas, thereby expanding the territory under their control.
On the 7th of August, the speaker of the Presidential Administration, Andriy Lysenko said that Ukraine expects the conflict in the Donbas region to escalate at any moment.