In 2019, the State Border Guard Service significantly increased its capabilities at sea.

The members of the Board stated that the service continued to perform missions under Russian aggression in the East of Ukraine, provocative actions of the occupiers at sea, numerous attempts of illegal migration and smuggling at the border, obstruction of the legitimate actions of the border guards and active resistance by the organizers of unlawful activities.

In 2019, the State Border Guard Service significantly increased its capabilities at sea. Izmail Detachment of the Maritime Guard was established, the deployment of Berdiansk battalion of ships is underway, and special operations departments are being optimized. According to the state order, 2 boats were built, 26 units of the ship and boat warehouse were repaired. The usage of aviation, including drones was more active. Total flight time of border guard aircrafts and helicopters was about 1400 hours and drones - 1100 hours.

At present, the units of the Mobile Detachment “DOZOR” are being reformed and actively used. During the year 4 such units were deployed and started accomplishing their tasks. Last year 216 mobile groups were deployed in 118 cases to implement operational information and strengthen border protection in areas of active unlawful activities. Maritime picture plotting system continues to be modernized. District inspectors’ work is being improved. Joint patrolling with foreign counterparts in EU and Moldova is being actively pursued. More than 3,000 of such patrols were conducted last year.

Activity of departments responsible for material and resource support, health-improving institutions, construction was also discussed during the meeting. Participants expressed their desire for more effective work in these areas. As a result of the discussion, it was agreed that in 2020 it is necessary to continue the audit and analysis of these components, which will optimize the work of the respective units.

Operational performance in 2019 demonstrates growth in many key areas. There was a 3% increase in the number of entries. In particular, 102 million people were allowed to entry the country, which is more than 2 million more than in 2018.

Last year 1.5 times more violators with forged documents were detained at the border crossing points, which testifies to an increase in the efficiency of passport control, especially in airports. In 2019, more than 1.5 thousand forged documents were discovered, which is half a thousand more than in 2018. In addition, 31 thousand (2018 - 26.7 thousand) orders of authorized bodies were fulfilled, as well as 3.6 thousand Interpol information (2018 - 3 thousand) were implemented.

The number of foreigners unlawfully overstaying in Ukraine has increased by more than 8.5 times. When about 2,000 offenders were detected in 2018, then in 2019 that number has increased to nearly 17,7 thousand.

In addition, more than 51,000 administrative offenses were recorded in the border guard sphere. The amount of administrative penalties increased by a third - to UAH 123 million. (2018 - UAH 94.8 million).

Border guards detained more than 1208 illegal migrants (2018 - 1168) outside the border crossing points. The number of detected drugs increased by 16 times (2400 kg against 152.5 kg in 2018), explosives by 2.7 times (2018 - 1.3 kg, 2019 - 3.5 kg). The number of detected tobacco products increased significantly by 39% (in 2018 - 10.1 million packs, in 2019 - 16.5 million). At the same time unlawful use of small and unmanned aircraft significantly increased. Also, in 2019 1.7 times more goods were confiscated (estimated at UAH 310 million, while in 2018 - UAH 183 million).