Ukrainian border guards… on the front line

(BRUXELLES2 in kyiv) In a building in the Ukrainian capital, B2 was able to meet the heads of the border guard service, in particular Vasyl Servatiuk. He embodies a desire for renewal within a service - which, according to European experts - is among those among the Ukrainian security services which has best integrated the spirit of reform.

Facing hybrid warfare

“We face new challenges explains Vasyl Servatiuk, Deputy Head of the Border Guard Service. " Russia's military aggression, which takes the form of so-called hybrid warfare, forces us to make difficult but important decisions. We have to admit that at this first level we may not have been ready for such forms of aggression. I doubt that any country has an effective mechanism to counter this type of action. »

400 km of borders with Russia out of control

Five regions of Ukraine have a border with Russia. Three of these regions (Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv) and part of Luhansk “ are completely controlled by border guards » Ukrainians. " Control is being improved at border posts and through patrols. In several sectors, we are calling on reserves to be able to deal with aggression ". The situation is under control and some cooperation is even assumed with the Russians. Corn " there are 400 km left (which) are unfortunately not controlled by our units”.

Still trying to control

« We use different modus operandi, we use our influence, to try to ensure control of these regions: the agreements signed between Ukraine and Russia on joint controls (the center of which is located in Donetsk), the reports of observers . We note border violations, the passage of so-called Russian humanitarian convoys. We are trying to initiate joint Russian and Ukrainian controls at Kuibyshevo-Diakove. But, if someone asks me if it works, I have to admit that it doesn't. says Vasyl Servatiuk.

Main task: manage the crisis in the East

« Our main task is to manage the crisis in the east of the country he confides. Border guards have been redeployed along the line of contact which runs for 500 km and 2 regions. This line of contact is controlled by our border guard units. They are in contact with army units, to ensure, within the framework of skills, the control of passengers and vehicles.. There are 20 checkpoints, like crossing points but not Border Crossings points. " We have patrols to control sabotage groups, attacks, the passage of weapons and ammunition. »

Significant losses

In this mission, border guards are on the front line. " Vehicles exploded, border guards attacked suddenly, just one day” They have paid a heavy price for this war: 62 dead, 350 injured, 11 missing, 1 prisoner ».

A completely different situation in the West

The situation is "ccompletely different in the West, with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania”. Cooperation works “well with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia. not only on the basis of international treaties but in a spirit of mutual respect and trust”. We were thus able to relocated units from west to east. There are enough means with the European countries to carry out our usual tasks. »

European and American assistance

The equipment of the border guards comes from reserves or, for, part of the army and transferred to the East. We have also benefited from international assistance from European countries and the United States, with experts, surveillance resources, night vision systems and vehicles. » This support is “meaningful but still not enough. The Russian aggressor and the separatists have received more and better weapons and equipment than we have. »

... but not sufficient

For Ukrainens what is striking is the difference in means. " We are a border guard agency but we have to face a war. The Russians use RPGs, and anti tanks. We need equipment to react to these acts: armored vehicles, means of night vision, reconnaissance technology, anti-tank equipment as well. » Besides equipment, it is about having expertise and training. " We must also train our personnel in contact, set up anti sniper units or fight against sabotage groups. We need specialists for that. »

The other battle: that of information

The conflict also continues on the media. " The information war, which is underway against us, pursues the objective of discrediting our aspirations of the Ukrainian population to make the pivotal changes effective. » Here too the Ukrainians are calling for a “support in the information battle. We expect the EU and the media to tell the truth about what is happening in eastern Ukraine. Russian media have a significant influence on European citizens. » For example, there was information « about Russian media that a child had been crucified ". False information. “We must constantly restore the truth about what is happening in Ukraine. »

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)