As a key component of Ukraine’s security and defence sector, the Security Service of Ukraine is actively engaged in implementing state policy in the areas of Euro-Atlantic and European integration. At the same time, the SSU is strengthening its core functions – particularly in the context of the ongoing war.

The Security Service continues its steady progress toward interoperability with NATO. At the Washington Summit, requirements were agreed and approved that address the SSU’s transformation, enhancement of its counterintelligence capabilities, counterterrorism efforts, and other priority areas.

The SSU reviewed the powers defined by Ukrainian law and examined the practices and legislation governing the activities of security services in EU and NATO member states.

As a result, the Security Service of Ukraine has:

• developed and in April 2025 approved the Strategy for the Development of the SSU for 2025–2030;
• adopted the Concept of HR Policy in the SSU for the period up to 2028;
• introduced the Rules of Professional Ethics and Integrity for SSU Military Personnel;
• approved the Procedure for the Attestation of SSU Military Personnel;
• adopted the Procedure for the State Registration of SSU Regulatory Acts Related to Counterintelligence, Operational and Search Activities, and State Secrets Protection.

The full-scale russian invasion demonstrated that the Security Service is an integral component of Ukraine’s Security and Defence Forces, capable of mounting a robust and effective response to the aggressor. SSU units, alongside other defence actors, joined the fight on all directions of the front, while our counterintelligence officers maintain stability in the rear by systematically identifying and neutralising enemy agents, saboteurs, and terrorists.

In response to the evolving nature of warfare, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a series of laws enhancing the SSU’s capabilities:

• On Amendments to the Air Code of Ukraine Regarding the Activities of the Aviation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine of 29 June 2023 No. 3184-IX. This law designates the SSU as a subject of state aviation, incorporating the Service into state aviation and granting it the right to use its aircraft for the protection and defence of the country;
• On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by Law Enforcement Agencies and Countering Their Illegal Use of 13 July 2023 No. 3232-IX. The law grants the Security Service the right to use unmanned aerial vehicles, vehicles moving on or under the water surface, and to use means and/or devices designed to counter UAVs in order to protect critical infrastructure, prevent and stop terrorist attacks.
• On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Improvement of Certain Issues of the Activities of the Security Service of Ukraine and Increasing Its Effectiveness in Connection with Participation in Repelling and Deterring Armed Aggression against Ukraine of 16 July 2025 No. 4542-IX. This law enhances the SSU’s operational capabilities by: increasing the personnel of the SSU Special Operations Centre ‘A’ to 10,000 (in stages during 2025-2026), which increases the number of servicemen directly repelling russia’s armed aggression; clarifying the SSU’s right to use weapons and military equipment during martial law under rules established for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (similar rules already exist for the National Guard, the SBGS, and special police forces), as well as powers regarding the use of ground drones.

Today, the Security Service of Ukraine is effectively detecting and disrupting attempts by russian intelligence services to destabilise the situation within the country. The SSU is continually improving its methods and techniques to counter these threats. The SSU Counterintelligence consistently uncovers enemy intelligence networks and prevents terrorist attacks, sabotage operations, and arsons, plotted or carried out on russia’s behalf.

In wartime, the tasks of the SSU Counterintelligence are to counteract intelligence and sabotage activities and encroachments by foreign intelligence services, including by exposing enemy agents, spies, traitors, and collaborators.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is currently considering the Draft Law of Ukraine On Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts Regulating Issues of Countering the Intelligence and Sabotage Activities of Foreign Intelligence Services of 10 May 2024 No. 11228-1. The Draft Law proposes exempting undercover officers of Ukrainian services from criminal liability for actions strictly limited to counterintelligence activities; prohibits the collection, verification and evaluation of evidence in criminal proceedings within counterintelligence operations.

The Ukrainian Parliament has also adopted the Law of Ukraine On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Information Protection and Cyber Protection of State Information Resources and Critical Information Infrastructure of 27 March 2025 No. 4336-IX. This legislation enables the Security Service to concentrate its efforts on protecting Ukraine’s state security by countering cyberterrorism, cyber sabotage, and cyber espionage. It clearly defines the SSU’s tasks in the areas of cybersecurity, cyber incident and cyberattack response, and establishes a clear division of responsibilities between the SSU and other state entities. In addition, the SSU Cybersecurity Situation Centre has been designated as an integral component of the national system for responding to cyber incidents, cyberattacks, and cyber threats.

Protection of critical infrastructure and supply chains has also been enhanced through the adoption of the following legislation:

• Law of Ukraine On Critical Infrastructure of 16 November 2021 No. 1882-IX. The law establishes the criteria for classifying facilities as critical infrastructure, defines the procedure for forming and maintaining the national register, and introduces requirements for their certification. It also designates the Security Service as one of the key entities within the national system for protecting critical infrastructure, including its cyber dimension. As a result, the system for safeguarding critical infrastructure is now more effectively aligned with other components of national security.
• Law of Ukraine On Amendments to Article 8 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On State Secrets’ of 12 February 2025 No. 4236-IX. This amendment classifies as state secrets the information about:

1. the organisation, content, status, and plans for protecting critical infrastructure facilities of Categories I and II (national and regional significance);
2. the creation of material and technical reserves for responding to crisis situations and eliminating their consequences at critical infrastructure sites.
   In essence, the law aims to minimise the risk of uncontrolled dissemination of such information and prevent its potential use by the enemy to the detriment of Ukraine’s national security.

The SSU is tracking the intelligence activities of foreign services and their agents, swiftly addressing any factors that could lead to leaks of classified or sensitive information.

The protection of state secrets and classified information, as well as the fulfilment of Ukraine’s international obligations in this area, remains a key priority for the Security Service.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is currently considering the Draft Law of Ukraine On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On State Secrets’ to Improve Measures for State Secrets Protection of 04 July 2024 No. 11395. The Draft Law was prepared with due regard for the legal regime of martial law and is designed to strengthen the overall system of state secrets protection.

The proposed amendments include:

• updating the mechanisms for licensing activities related to state secrets;
• revising the system of clearances, extending the timeframe for conducting screening before granting state secrets clearance. The Draft Law also expands the list of grounds for denying clearance by incorporating factors that increase an individual’s vulnerability to external influence of foreign intelligence services. These factors include foreign citizenship, convictions for serious or particularly grave crimes related to the state secrets protection, and crimes against the foundations of Ukraine’s national security.

Given the urgent need to minimise risks to the stable functioning of the state secrets protection system, the SSU has prepared a new Draft Law On Amendments to Certain Laws Regarding the Improvement of Measures for State Secrets Protection. This Draft is primarily aimed at strengthening the protection of state secrets in the context of russia’s large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, updating the mechanisms for licensing activities involving state secrets, and improving the procedures for granting and revoking citizens’ clearance and access to classified information.

The Security Service of Ukraine is actively strengthening the antiterrorism capabilities of all entities involved in counterterrorism efforts. To support these initiatives, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has:

• adopted the Law of Ukraine On Ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism of 20 September 2022 No. 2589-IX and the Law of Ukraine On Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine in Connection with the Ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, as well as to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving the Fight against Terrorism of 21 March 2023 No. 2997-IX. It stipulates that the Antiterrorist Centre at the Security Service of Ukraine:

1. coordinates the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on combating international terrorism;
2. interacts with security and intelligence services, law enforcement agencies of foreign states and international organisations on counterterrorism issues and exchanges information on passengers on international flights;
3. has the authority to receive and use passenger information strictly for the execution of tasks established by law.
   The Antiterrorist Centre at the SSU, along with other counterterrorism entities, has been authorised to request information from transport companies regarding passengers and crew on both international and domestic flights. This makes it possible to more effectively counter attempts by individuals involved in terrorist activities to cross the state border of Ukraine.

• adopted the Law of Ukraine On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Formation and Maintenance of the List of Terrorist Organisations (Groups) of 18 December 2024 No. 4156-IX. This law establishes the procedure for adding terrorist organisations (groups) to, and removing them from, the list of persons involved in terrorist activities or subject to international sanctions.

By Order No. 128 of the SSU Central Directorate of 3 April 2025, the Procedure for the Formation and Maintenance of the List of Terrorist Organisations (Groups) was approved and was subsequently registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. The List is published on the official website of the Security Service and is regularly updated on the basis of court decisions and analysis of information from international organisations.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has put into effect the Rules of Antiterrorist Security, which establish the procedure and mechanisms for identifying potential targets of terrorist attacks as well as mandatory requirements for their antiterrorist protection.

A Draft Concept for Combating Terrorism in Ukraine for 2025-2030 has been developed and is undergoing external approval.