The online activities were aimed at exchanging experiences in the field of training and effective use of dog handlers with service dogs to counter attempts to smuggle arms, ammunition and explosives (WAE) across the state border.

A series of expert consultations was held from April 20 to July 13 within the framework of the joint project with the OSCE project “Support to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives”.

The online activities were aimed at exchanging experiences in the field of training and effective use of dog handlers with service dogs to counter attempts to smuggle arms, ammunition and explosives (WAE) across the state border.

Thus, during the meetings the parties discussed in detail the existing standards and methods of service dog selection, training systems for cynologists with special dogs, both on the basis of training centers and directly in the state border guard units. Particular attention was paid to the peculiarities of the use of special dogs to combat the illegal movement of WAE across the state border, especially at the crossing points.

In addition, as part of further cooperation, the parties agreed to exchange study visits. They also agreed on the development of a series of measures by representatives of the Spanish Civil Guard to improve the skills of dog teams of the State Border Guard Service and the State Customs Service of Ukraine in combating trafficking.

For the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine this project is part of the OSCE Program to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating illicit trafficking in all aspects. It is implemented with the support of the European Union, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Poland, the Slovak Republic, the United States of America, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic.