The Security Service of Ukraine is developing a modern, forward-looking model of state security grounded in more than 30 years of experience. It incorporates the competencies and skills gained during a decade of countering russia’s hybrid and armed aggression, the rapid evolution of military and information technologies, advances in legislation, the implementation of international security commitments, shifts in the global security environment, and the requirements of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The gravest threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty, constitutional order, and territorial integrity continues to be russia’s war of aggression, supported by its allies. In the conditions of full-scale invasion, the Security Service of Ukraine has emerged as one of the key institutions defending the state from russian armed aggression. The SSU operates effectively on the front line, carries out complex special operations deep behind enemy lines, and neutralises enemy agents within Ukraine.

SSU officers are doing everything possible to liberate temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, dismantle the aggressor’s ability to wage war, neutralise spies and enemy agents, and ensure that traitors, collaborators, and war criminals are brought to justice. The Service places particular emphasis on countering sabotage, terrorism, information and cyberattacks, protecting the defence-industrial complex, critical infrastructure, and supply chains from potential threats, as well as safeguarding state secrets. The Security Service continuously integrates innovations into its operational and combat activities, strengthens its resource provision, and enhances coordination with national security and defence institutions and partner-country agencies during joint operations.

‘During the full-scale war, the Security Service of Ukraine has proven that it can be exactly what the Ukrainian people expect: effective, powerful, and combat-ready. It has not only become a key component of the country’s defence and security sector but has also built a reliable system to shield our state from russian intelligence services. Despite all the enemy’s attempts to deploy agents and collaborators or destabilise the situation in Ukraine, the SSU responds swiftly and, most importantly, acts proactively,’ said President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, assessing the Service’s performance.

‘The war has fundamentally reshaped approaches to state security. A strong Security Service is now one of the key prerequisites for Ukraine’s Victory. Our task is to counter russia in a comprehensive and systematic way. And we are fulfilling it, while the Parliament is working to determine the optimal model for SSU reform that reflects the realities of wartime,’ said the SSU Head Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk.

Today, the MAIN DIRECTIONS OF THE SSU’S TRANSFORMATION are set out in the following documents:

• the Overarching Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies within Ukraine’s Security and Defence Sector for 2023-2027, along with the government plan for its implementation;
• the Rule of Law Roadmap;
• the NATO-Ukraine Interoperability Roadmap under the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine – requirements for interoperability with NATO;
• The Security Service of Ukraine Development Strategy for 2025–2030.

A number of factors ensure the high effectiveness of the Security Service during the war. First and foremost are the professionalism and patriotism of SSU personnel, who have risen to defend the country and are fighting on the most intense fronts. Proactive, coordinated strategic leadership and sufficient material and technical support also enable the Service to carry out its tasks at a high level. A crucial element is the development and implementation of essential legislative changes in the national security sphere. These ongoing changes seek to systematically refocus the SSU’s work on countering state security threats and embedding a risk-oriented approach across all activities.

In the light of the evolving nature of modern warfare and the need to strengthen national security, THE UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT HAS ADOPTED CHANGES, by which:

in the field of combat operations

• the SSU has been designated as one of the state aviation entities;
• the SSU has been authorised to use unmanned systems (air, surface, underwater and ground), as well as to use equipment designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles, including for protecting critical infrastructure, preventing and stopping terrorist acts;
• the number of the SSU Special Operations Centre ‘A’ personnel has been increased to enhance effectiveness in repelling and deterring armed aggression against Ukraine.

in the field of counterterrorism

• the SSU has been designated as the contact point for the exchange of information on terrorists, while the powers of the SSU, the Antiterrorist Centre at the SSU and other counter-terrorism entities have been clarified;
• the Antiterrorist Centre at the SSU has been designated as the national coordinator for implementing UN Security Council resolutions on counterterrorism;
• the Antiterrorist Centre at the SSU and counterterrorism entities have been granted powers to obtain and use passenger information (API/PNR) to counter the movement of terrorists;
• the SSU is responsible for compiling and maintaining the list of terrorist organisations and groups.

in the field of information security and cybersecurity

• the SSU’s capabilities and mandates have been strengthened and clarified in relation to ensuring cybersecurity; responding to cyber incidents and cyberattacks; combating cyberterrorism, cyber sabotage and cyber espionage;
• the SSU Cybersecurity Situation Centre has been designated as part of the national system for responding to cyber incidents, cyberattacks and cyber threats;
• nineteen regional situation centres have been established to enhance the state’s cybersecurity and information security;

in the field of critical infrastructure protection

• the SSU has been designated as one of the entities of the national critical infrastructure protection system, including in matters of cyber protection.

in the field of state secrets protection

• information about the organisation, content, status and plans for the protection of Category I and II critical infrastructure facilities (of national and regional importance), as well as information on creating material and technical reserve for crisis response and recovery at such facilities, has been classified as a state secret;

in the field of legal regulation of the SSU’s activity

• to regulate specific issues in the areas of counterterrorism, state secrets protection, and social and legal safeguards for SSU military personnel, the Security Service has been granted the right to draft and submit for consideration by the President of Ukraine and the Cabinet of Ministers draft acts relating to the SSU’s activities;

in the field of pre-trial investigation

• the SSU investigates criminal proceedings on collaboration, aiding an aggressor state, and crimes against humanity, for which criminal liability has been established.

As part of Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, legislative changes have transferred the responsibility for detecting and investigating economic and corruption crimes from the Security Service of Ukraine to other authorised agencies. If the SSU uncovers indications of such offences during counterintelligence operations, the information is promptly forwarded to the ESBU, NABU, SBI, and National Police, in line with their respective competences.

Crimes that remain under the SSU’s jurisdiction are among the most serious and have distinct characteristics. These include offences against national and state security, crimes against peace, the security of humanity and international law, terrorism, and violations related to state secrets.

TRAINING OF PERSONNEL

High professionalism enables SSU officers to perform extremely complex combat tasks and unique special operations.

Special emphasis is placed on training new recruits for the Special Operations Centre ‘A’ (known as Alpha). Under the guidance of veteran combat instructors, recruits gain valuable practical experience and continuously refine the professional skills necessary for the successful execution of real combat missions.

The SSU’s educational institutions continually enhance their training programs, allowing personnel to acquire new knowledge and skills by combining best practices from the world’s leading intelligence and security agencies with the unique practical experience gained by the Security Service in wartime conditions.

Training programs now include instruction for UAV operators, methodologies for open-source intelligence gathering, conducting financial investigations to support sanctions enforcement and counterterrorism efforts (including crimes involving virtual assets), modern techniques for countering terrorism and sabotage, fundamentals of strategic communications, and advanced training for polygraph examiners.

Faculty and staff at the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine study NATO educational approaches, best practices, and teaching methodologies under the NATO DEEP program. They participate in the Master Instructor Training Programme, engage in online distance learning, and continuously improve the quality of education by adapting training programs to NATO-EU standards and national strategic documents.

PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY

The Security Service of Ukraine has fundamentally reformed its personnel policy by strengthening its internal security unit and cleansing its ranks from russian agents and traitors – a process personally overseen by the SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk. This effort remains ongoing.

The SSU has raised the standards for both new recruits and current personnel, introducing modern methods for impartial, comprehensive, and objective evaluation of professional performance.

To support this, the Security Service has updated its Rules of Professional Ethics and Integrity, developed a Procedure for the Attestation of Personnel, adopted the Concept of Personnel Policy for 2025–2028, and the Anti-Corruption Programme for 2025–2027. These initiatives incorporate NATO Building Integrity recommendations on personnel management, enhancing transparency, accountability, and reducing corruption risks within the security sector.

PRIORITIES AND TASKS

Given the current geopolitical challenges, Ukraine requires an effective and efficient security service equipped with the necessary tools, mechanisms, and resources.

Through the implementation of the STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE FOR 2025–2030, the Security Service will become a modern, effective national security service that:

• focuses on performing tasks in the following areas:

1. counterintelligence;
2. special and combat tasks;
3. protecting national statehood;
4. combating terrorism and its financing;
5. counterintelligence support for the state’s information security and cybersecurity;
6. counterintelligence support for critical infrastructure and supply chains, defence and scientific and technical potential;
7. protection of state secrets;
8. information and analytical work;
9. investigating crimes within its jurisdiction;

• will enhance its effectiveness as a combat component of the security and defence forces, which has the functions, powers, modern tools and resources to promptly identify and effectively respond to challenges and threats to state security;
• will apply risk-based approaches in its activities, forming an organisational and staffing structure taking into account the security situation and resources;
• will use modern strategic, external and internal communications, has an effective internal control system and an anti-corruption programme;
• will transform into a politically neutral and independent security service that enjoys the trust and authority of Ukrainian society;
• will be subject to transparent civilian democratic control;
• will effectively exchange information and coordinate joint actions, including through established mechanisms for interaction between Ukraine and partner countries;
• will use a modernised human resources management system.