Zelensky enacts NSDC decision on Ukraine’s Counterterrorism Concept

President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted a decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) approving a new Counterterrorism Concept for Ukraine.

The decision was formalized through Presidential Decree No. 492/2026, signed on June 11, according to Ukrinform.

“To enact the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of April 6, 2026, ‘On the Counterterrorism Concept of Ukraine,’” the decree states.

The decree formally approves the new Counterterrorism Concept and simultaneously revokes the previous concept adopted under Presidential Decree No. 53/2019 of March 5, 2019.

The stated objective of the new concept is to implement Ukraine’s national security policy in the field of counterterrorism. The document emphasizes that Ukraine’s counterterrorism efforts are based on principles established by law and take into account generally recognized norms of international law and international counterterrorism standards.

The concept identifies the Russian Federation as the primary source of external terrorist threats to Ukraine.

“The terrorist threat to Ukraine’s national interests manifests itself in various forms, but the greatest threat stems from the terrorist activities of the armed formations of the Russian Federation. Alongside the use of military force, terrorist acts are committed against civilians, critical infrastructure facilities and supply chains, components of the security and defense sector, law enforcement agencies, and their personnel,” the document states.

The concept also recognizes threats posed by international terrorist organizations, including the recruitment of children into terrorist activities, acts of cyberterrorism, and the terrorist use of emerging technologies, particularly advanced developments in aviation.

Among the internal threats identified are: the large number of critical infrastructure facilities within Ukraine; the location of critical infrastructure and supply chains in active combat zones and Russian-occupied territories; the spread of disinformation and destructive propaganda; rising crime related to the illegal trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and toxic substances.

Ukraine’s response framework outlined in the concept includes: strengthening protection of critical infrastructure; enhancing cybersecurity capabilities; improving regulation and monitoring of unmanned systems and explosive materials; combating terrorism financing; developing early-warning and threat-detection systems; expanding other preventive and response measures.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky also recently introduced amendments to regulations governing military service in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.