Border guards strengthen security at border with Russia due to elections

Security at the border with Russia is tightened due to upcoming elections in Ukraine, Assistant to the State Border Guard Service head Oleh Slobodian has said.

"We continue to increase security at the border with Russia... We do this in order to avoid threats related to elections," Slobodian told an Ukrinform correspondent.

He stressed that any destabilizing actions including on the border with the Russian Federation could happen during the election period. "Therefore, we are doing this to protect our citizens from risks," Slobodian said.

As reported, on January 17, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine attracted special forces to enhance security at the border with Russia. The special units of the East Regional Department of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine were additionally involved in the protection of the state border with the Russian Federation within Sumy, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions.