Foreign intelligence services carry on to negatively affect the situation in Ukraine and, especially by using different criminal networks. On July 16 the SBU Head Ivan Bakanov pointed out this at the coordination meeting of heads of state law enforcement agencies, which was held in the Prosecutor General Office.

"We all figured out that the special services of the aggression country are constantly trying to undermine the situation in Ukraine by means of criminal elements. That is why the key areas of SBU activities are the protection of national statehood, counterintelligence and counterterrorism", Ivan Bakanov said.

He recalled that SBU officers had warned of three terrorist attacks and detained four involved people in the last six months.

In April, for example, the SBU found a bomber who had previously set off an explosive device at the entrance to the French Boulevard shopping mall in Kharkiv city. In June, SBU officers detained a former serviceman who tried to plant four mines at the hospital in Severodonetsk city and the Rubizhne station. Additionally, in July an LNR militant who was about to blow up ammonia tanks at the PJSC Severodonetsk Nitrogen was detained as well.

This year, courts have already passed 28 sentences for terrorist attacks and 16 for creating a terrorist group or organization.

In particular, a person who planned an explosion in a residential area of Zaporizhia on the instructions of the so-called "MDB LNR" was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. Moreover, the criminals, attempting to sabotage the Kharkiv underground and Kharkivvodokanal Utility Company, were sentenced to 5 years each.

However, the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine believes that citizens should not be afraid of an assault or a terrorist attack even despite the undeclared war in eastern Ukraine and threats from northern Ukraine.

"The best index of the law enforcement activities is when Ukrainians will live in peace without worrying about their child going to school, taking the subway or walking in parks. The SBU will keep on to do their utmost to ensure that any crimes are prevented at the beginning, and what is more the organizers and perpetrators will be entirely justified”, the SBU Head added.