Combating Illegal Movement of Radioactive Materials and Objects Across the State Border of Ukraine

Abstract

This article, by using general scientific methods, presents the main issues and ways to improve the appropriate technical equipment of state border crossing points, legal responsibilities of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the main results of operational activities to combat the illegal movement of radioactive materials and objects across the state border. The article shows the results of international cooperation and the implementation of international technical assistance projects by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on improving the system of prevention of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials and objects.
 Furthermore, the article examines the main responsibilities of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on ensuring radiation safety, which affects the real needs of equipping the state border guard bodies with the necessary technical tools. It is indicated that the detection of suspicious objects at state border crossing points may be limited to detection of exceeding the permissible radiation level without details about its kind with their further transfer to specially authorised state authorities of Ukraine for detailed examination.
 It is essential to note the need to improve the legal regulation of illegal trafficking of materials and objects that are hazardous radioactive sources across the state border considering negative economic and social consequences to the person, society, state and international community. There is an urgent need for well-defined regulation regarding the radiation materials and objects to prevent their movement across the state border without obtaining a special permit.
 Taking into account the need to reduce the budget expenditure of the border agency, this article provides recommendations to determine the purpose of the state re-equipment program of state border crossing points with modern tools for detection of radiation sources.