INTERNAL SECURITY THREATS OF UKRAINE

INTRODUCTION

INTERNAL SECURITY THREATS OF UKRAINE

2.1. Corruption

2.2. Organized and street crime

2.3. Political extremism

2.4. Nationalism and separatism

2.5. Paramilitary organizations

2.6. Arms traffic

2.7. Football ultras

2.8. Islamic radicalism

2.9. Man-made disasters

EXTERNAL SECURITY THREATS OF UKRAINE

3.1. Territorial claims of Romania

3.1.1. Snake island Dispute

3.1.2. The conflict over the use of Danube Delta

3.1.3. The Conflict over Southern Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina

3.2. Territorial claims of Hungary

3.3. Territorial claims of Poland

3.4. Russia’s aggressive actions

SUMMARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

INTERNAL SECURITY THREATS OF UKRAINE

CORRUPTION is one of the most pressing and traditional problems of Ukraine. According to the index of perception of corruption in the world in 2014 Ukraine was on one line with Uganda (26 points out of a possible 100). In spite of the change of the political elite and coming to power new people, corruption in Ukraine has not decreased, and in some areas even increased for 5 -18%.

Almost every Ukrainian faces corruption in everyday life – at hospitals, schools and universities. Residents of Ukraine have to adjust to corrupt practices, even for the realization of their legitimate rights. According to statistics, 60.5% of Ukrainians are aware of cases of bribery for making legal decision. 47.5% of Ukrainians are aware of cases of bribery for making illegal decision [1].

Corruption causes direct damage to the economy. According to various estimates, because of the level of corruption the efficiency of the consolidated budget of Ukraine drops down rapidly. This is due to a decrease in revenues and their inefficient spending.

Implications corruption in Ukraine for Europe: the destruction of European business practices, creating obstacles to the implementation of the interests of European investors, possible default of Ukraine and as a consequence the failure to perform its obligations towards European creditors.

ОRGANIZED AND STREET CRIME leads to negative social consequences. The criminal situation in Ukraine in the late 1990s to 2014 was relatively stable. There has been a merging of law enforcement bodies and organized crime groups.

As a result of lustration and “Georgian" reforms in the police thousands of people have lost their jobs. The government has not offered them to do retraining. Former police officers may join the organized crime groups. Their participation in the activities of organized crime groups will make the fight against them much more challenging.

The growth of street crime is explained by the following factors:

1 The police since the clashes with protesters in Kiev in winter 2014 has been disoriented and demotivated. The police prefers not to intervene in street conflicts. People who are prone to criminal behavior tend to use this situation.

2. Economic reforms have led to the impoverishment of a large part of the Ukrainian society. Salaries and pensions do not cover cost of living. Citizens are forced to seek criminal ways of obtaining income.

3. Demobilized soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who took part in the armed conflict in the East of Ukraine do not receive psychological assistance for adaptation to peaceful life and are aggressive towards others. A significant number of mobilized soldiers suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (similar to "War Syndrome" at different times in different countries received the name - "Vietnamese", "Afghan", "Chechen" syndromes.

4. Internally displaced persons. According to the statistics of the structural departments of social protection of regional and Kiev city state administrations, 1 million 369 thousand 644 migrants of Donbas and Crimea had been registered by June 15, 2015 [2].

Implications for Europe: the growth of crime in Ukraine and the European Continent as a whole, the formation of a sustainable international criminal conglomerate.

POLITICAL EXTREMISM represents a threat to the modern democratic state. The spread of extremist ideas leads to corrosion of the entire socio-political life, the erosion of public institutions, which are obliged to ensure the rights and freedoms of every citizen. There are more than 240 political parties in Ukraine that represents a range of political views, including the extreme right to the extreme left [3].Currently; the most organized and active among them are radical right party. There is a significant number of non-formalized groups of extreme right-wing ideology. They are extremely active on the Internet. Law enforcement agencies do not prevent their activity. This situation leads to an increase of xenophobic, homophobic and anti-left sentiment among Ukrainian youth.

Right political extremism has had a devastating impact on the political stability and civil accord in Ukrainian society. In particular, the initiative of the party "Freedom" on 23 February 2014 to abolish the law, which guarantees the use of "regional languages", for instance Russian, has become a detonator in the conflict in the east of Ukraine.

Left movement is currently weak. It is not represented in the Ukrainian Parliament. Traditional electorate of left-wing parties is frightened and weakened (people older than 40 years, living mainly in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine). The youth activists of the small left-wing and left-wing political views are not popular. Close to the left radicalism, Anti-global and "Green" movements are not formalized and are not represented in the Parliament of Ukraine. In fact, left movement is deprived of a parliamentary platform to express its views, which leads to its marginalization. Experience of right wing and left wing parties’ working in parliaments together is negative (lack of constructive activity, insults, physical violence against their opponents).

Implications for Europe: strengthening of right-wing political ideology in Europe.

NATIONALISM AND SEPARATISM is a phenomenon that occurs in a society that is in a political and socio-economic crisis.

Ukrainian nationalism is historically rooted, ideologically decorated, self-sufficient, with the largest number of followers. Its formation started in the early XX century. During the Soviet time, it was restrained by means of repression. Currently it is booming. The basic idea is the superiority of the Ukrainian nation.

The representatives of modern Ukrainian nationalism are characterized by anti-Russian, anti-Polish, anti-Hungarian and anti-European beliefs in general. Anti-migrant ideology is also popular. Ukrainian nationalists are ideologically close to right-wing radical activists and football ultras.

During the political crisis, 2004-2005 and 2014-2015 the Ukrainian nationalists expressed appeals not to obey the central government and called for the establishment of a separate state in the Western Ukraine. Currently the Security Service of Ukraine is not opposing actively.

Russian nationalism emerged at the same time as Ukraine gained independence in 1991. The basic idea is the return under the control of Russia. It is not self-sufficient and does not have so many followers but is backed by similar organizations from Russia and Russia’s Intelligence Service.

Representatives of the Russian nationalist movement took an active part in the detaching territories of Eastern Ukraine, which are densely populated by the Russian-speaking community and the creation of unrecognized Donetsk and Lugansk republics. Currently the Security Service of Ukraine is opposing actively.

Carpatho-Rusyns separatism has recently emerged, not self-sufficient, common in trans-Carpathian region. Rusyns - East Slavic population of the Carpathians group living mainly in the Carpathian region of Ukraine and Eastern Slovakia.

The basic idea is the creation of autonomy or the state for Carpatho-Rusyns. It has a strong link with the Intelligence Services of Russia. Currently the Security Service of Ukraine is opposing actively

Bessarabia separatism has recently emerged, not self-sufficient, common in the South of the Odessa regions. Bessarabia is a historical area in southeastern Europe between the Black Sea and the rivers Danube, Prut, Dniester. The region has historically been multi-ethnic. Currently it is densely populated by Gagauz, Moldavians, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Russians (including supporters of Old Ritualist Orthodox Church) and other nationalities. Lingua franca in the region has traditionally been Russian.

The basic idea of this separatist movement is the creation of the multiethnic Bessarabia autonomy for the South of the Odessa regions. This movement does not have historical traditions. It has a strong link with the Intelligence Services of Russia. Currently the Security Service of Ukraine is opposing actively.

Some public information sources mistakenly call Bessarabian separatism as "Gagauz separatism". Perhaps this is a historical echo of the Moldovan-Gagauz conflict in the 1990s.

The Gagauz people are a Turkic-speaking group living mostly in southern Moldova, southwestern Ukraine. The Gagauz are Orthodox Christians.

After the collapse of the USSR, when the conflict between the nationalist central government of Moldova and the Gagauz started, the territory populated by the Gagauz obtained the status of autonomy. The legal status of Gagauz autonomy of Moldova as part of the state has been enshrined in the Constitution of Moldova. Moreover, the separatist pro-Russian views are extremely popular among the residents of the Gagauz autonomy.

However, the Gagauz people, who live in Ukraine, have not previously been an independent political subject. Their national identity is implemented through national cultural societies that receive direct financial and organizational support of the authorities of Turkey.

Implications for Europe: the growth of nationalist and separatist movements in Europe, popularization of the idea of revising the national borders established after World War II.

PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS are a semi-militarized force not included as part of Ukraine’sformal armed forces whose participation in the conflicts is one of the markers of the 4^th Generation Warfare.

Pro-Ukrainian paramilitary organizations were created at the initiative of ordinary citizens during clashes between protesters and police in Kiev in winter 2014. Their symbol is a balaclava hat.

After the dismissal of President Victor Yanukovych, the paramilitary organizations (Volunteer Battalions) took an active part in the armed conflict in the East of Ukraine. They receive financial support from the representatives of the Ukrainian oligarchs and pro-Ukrainian civil volunteers.

Currently, part of them are included in the forces of Ukrainian Army, Police, and Ukrainian National Guard.

Pro-Ukrainian Paramilitary organizations were initially developed on a voluntary basis. During their formation, neither social and psychological maturity of members nor their moral and ethical qualities have been taken into account. As a result of this approach Pro-Ukrainian Paramilitary organizations have opened their doors to a lot of people prone to violence, as well as criminal elements.

Supporters of extreme right-wing ideology formed individual Volunteer Battalions. They are characterized by lack of discipline, abuse of power, violent actions against the civilian population. There are also cases of disobedience to supreme command.

Training and reserve base of some Volunteer Battalions are located in the regions of Ukraine that are far away from the line of armed clashes. In these regions, the paramilitary's organizations are used to organize raider capture of business objects (Odessa Refinery armed seizure in November 2014, armed incident in Mukachevo in July 2015 etc.)

However, international and Ukrainian media romanticizes and glorifies the image of pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries.

Pro-Russian Ukrainian citizens living in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions created pro-Russian Paramilitary organizations after the dismissal of the president Victor Yanukovych. They took an active part in the creation of unrecognized Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic

Ideology of pro-Russian Paramilitaries is anti-Ukrainian, anti-Western, pro-Russian. Among pro-Russian Paramilitaries there is a number of lumpens characterized by the nihilism and low intelligence and culture. Russian Intelligence Services directly support creation of Pro-Russian Paramilitary organizations in East of Ukraine.

Currently Russia is supporting them with military-technical equipment, economic and information means. The citizens of Russia take part in paramilitary organizations on the territory of unrecognized Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.

The economy of unrecognized Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics is characterized by a violation of economic ties with their Ukrainian counterparts, an excess of goods of export-oriented commodities (coal, metal, chemical products), insufficient number of consumer goods.

As a consequence of this Pro-Russian Paramilitaries are actively involved in illegal economic processes (forcible redistribution of property, sale of stolen goods, smuggling of tobacco, alcohol and other consumer goods, smuggling of minerals, etc).

During the fighting, pro-Ukrainian and Pro-Russian Paramilitaries often do not comply with the Geneva Conventions. In periods of truce on the territories under their control the numerous violations of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms have been repeatedly documented.

Implications for Europe: the loss of the state monopoly on the use of military weapons, violation of European human rights standards, the spread of weapons, the emergence one more "frozen" conflict in Europe, the formation of "grey economic zone," smuggling of goods, threat to life, and health of European citizens, the direct and indirect damage to the interests of European investors.

ARMS TRAFFIC is one of the most lucrative criminal business accompanying all armed conflicts.

Ukrainian legislation prohibits trafficking combat weapons to individuals and companies (excluding Government). But the clashes between protesters and police in Kiev in winter 2014 led to the situation when the state has lost control over the thousands of combat weapons and ammunition.

Since the beginning of military conflict in the East of Ukraine pitched in by the middle of the 2015 more than 0.7 million small arms looted from military depots and police, as well as unaccounted captured weapons had been entered the black market.

As a result, the number of crimes involving combat weapons has sharply increased in Ukraine, as well as the rapid increase in accidents as a result of incorrect storage.

Implications for Europe: smuggling weapons to other conflict regions in the World, threat to life, health and the interests of European citizens.

FOOTBALL ULTRAS cause deep public concern in most European countries. Football hooligans are one of the most cohesive, organized and aggressive social groups. As a rule, their activity is violent and criminal. According to Franklin Foer: «Football is a clear reflection of the contradictory tendencies of the modern world with all its joys and sorrows. Football clubs are not geographic areas but social classes and political ideas. Football reflects an age-old hatred and historical prejudices. It is able to crush the regimes and produce liberation movements ". [4]

In Ukraine, there are many informal groups of football ultras. Social portrait of Ukrainian football hooligan is an uneducated, socially unsuccessful a supporter of right wing political views with brutal behavior and prone to collective violence. They actively participate in documented cases of violence. However, Ukrainian media in romanticizes and glorifies the image of football ultras.

The control over the behavior of fans during football matches does not meet European standards. By 2014 special police forces «Berkut» (that participated in an attempt to disperse the protesters in Kiev in winter 2014) had carried out the control procedure. The police actively used physical actions and special means against football ultras.

As part of the clashes between protesters and police in Kiev in winter 2014 football ultras took revenge. They were among the most organized and active participants in the clashes.

Now police control at football matches is not actually carried out. The deterrent factor of violence has disappeared.

Since 2014, the football hooligans have been more involved in violence towards the third parties. The most dramatic incident involving Ukrainian ultras occurred in Odessa in May 2, 2014 (according to the official data 48 people were killed and over 170 injured). Ordinary citizens have become happenstance witnesses of clashes between Polish and Ukrainian ultras in the central streets of Kiev before match play-off round of the Europe League in August 19, 2015).

Informal groups of football ultras demonstrate high activity on the Internet and are attractive for young people. The law enforcement agencies in Ukraine pay insufficient attention to the prevention of violence by football hooligans.

Implications for Europe: Ukrainian football ultras become active participants in violence during the matches of Ukrainian teams in Ukraine or other European Country, threat to life and health of European citizens.

ISLAMIC EXTREMISM is less widespread in Ukraine than in the "old" Europe. The main center of Islamic radicalism is located on the Crimean peninsula, which is densely populated by Crimean Tatars (Sunni Muslims). After the Russian annexation of the Crimean peninsula a significant part of Islamic community has turned out outside the jurisdiction of Ukraine.

Since the 1990s and early 2000s in Ukraine, radical Islam has become popular among the Arabian community (anti-American and anti-Israel) and the Chechen community (anti-Russian).

However, Russia's involvement in the conflict on the side of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paved the way for terrorist attacks by Sunni Islamic extremists on Russian citizens and Russian property on its territory and abroad.

The common border between Russia and Ukraine makes the latter one of the possible locations of formation, organization and implementation of terrorist plans by Islamic extremists against Russian citizens and Russian property.

Due to the armed conflict in the east of Ukraine, its official authority does not control 409 kilometers of border in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions. The lack of proper control over the state border makes Ukraine one of the possible ways of transit Islamic extremists.

Islamic extremists can be both non-residents of Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens or foreign students.

Students from Muslim countries are about 70% of foreign students in Ukraine [4]. They represent a closed community the ideas of Islamic extremism can be easily penetrated.

Military conflict in the East of Ukraine demands from the Security Services of Ukraine mobilization to counter Russian Intelligence Services. Therefore, the prevention, detection and suppression of extremism among Muslims living in the Ukraine is weak.

Implications for Europe: involving citizens and residents of Ukraine in the Extremist Islamic International, threat to life, and health of European citizens.

MAN-MADE DISASTERS may be a consequence of one of the above internal threats, and may be considered as a separate threat.

There are five nuclear power plants, chemical plants, oil refineries, an extensive network of pipelines on the territory of Ukraine, transcontinental oil and gas pipelines, nuclear power plants, the Dnieper cascade of dams, ports of the Black Sea.

Man-made disasters are possible as a result of: non-compliance with technical regulations of the private owner of the object, who wishes to get the most profit (an argument against privatization); deliberate or indeliberate attacks on the object, which turns into the man-made hazards during clashes; deliberate or indeliberate attacks on infrastructure, ensuring the operation of an object representing the man-made hazards (mains, drainage, cooling) during the clashes; diversion. Man-made disasters can cause mass panic and loss of life, traffic jams, even an ecological catastrophe.

Implications for Europe: environmental pollution of Central and Eastern Europe, threat to life and health of European citizens, direct and indirect damage to the interests of European investors.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 936