Territorial Defense Research Articles

Cooperation of The National Police of Ukraine with civil society on the basis of partnership under the conditions of the state of martial

The article examines the prospects for the interaction of the National Police of Ukraine with the population on the basis of partnership under martial law and analyzes the recently implemented projects, the purpose of which is the effective implementation of the tasks assigned by the state, primarily related to the protection of the highest values of the state, which include man and his rights and freedom. It is emphasized that the introduction of martial law in Ukraine requires not only the solution of tasks related to the introduction and implementation of measures of the legal regime of martial law, since in the course of repelling armed aggression against Ukraine, police bodies participate in the performance of territorial defense tasks, carry out increased patrolling, escort appropriate cargoes, protection of property of victims, protection of destruction sites, delivery of offenders, restriction of traffic on dangerous routes, conducting exercises with representatives of the population, etc. The main problems that arise during the interaction of the National Police with the population at the current stage under the conditions of the legal regime of martial law in Ukraine are highlighted, the ways to solve them are outlined, it is proposed to develop a normative legal act on the organization of the interaction of the police with the population, in which the goal should be fixed interactions, tasks, define individual concepts, define subjects and heads of interaction bodies, types and forms of interaction, features of mutual information, channels of information transmission, methods and deadlines for checking the effectiveness of interaction, determine principles, as well as directions of interaction in the conditions of the legal regime of military state in Ukraine.
 It is concluded that the legal regulation of the interaction of the National Police bodies with the population under the conditions of the legal regime of martial law in Ukraine should be understood as the system of legal means (elements), the totality of techniques and methods of legal influence on social relations that arise during such interaction, with the help of which a complex of organizational and special measures aimed at protection against illegal encroachments, as well as ensuring the personal safety of citizens, countering offenses is defined.

Phenotypic constraints at the top of the world: an Arctic songbird faces the cumulative cost of maintaining a winter-like phenotype during breeding

Among birds, several body composition traits typically decrease in size or mass during breeding likely as a result of competing demands during this critical life history stage. However, a recent outdoor captive study in an Arctic-breeding cold-specialist songbird (snow buntings – Plectrophenax nivalis) demonstrated that these birds maintain winter cold acclimatization during the spring and summer, despite facing summer temperatures much warmer than on their Arctic breeding grounds. This suggests that buntings may face a cumulative physiological cost during breeding: having to support a winter phenotype while also upregulating additional traits for reproduction. The current study aimed to test this hypothesis. Between 2016 and 2019, we examined how body composition and metabolic performance (thermogenic capacity and physiological maintenance costs) changed from pre-breeding to chick provisioning in free-living birds captured at the northern limit of their breeding range in the Canadian Arctic (Alert, NU, 82°). While body mass and fat reserves deceased significantly between pre-breeding and territory defense independent of thermal conditions, cold endurance and associated traits remained stable and elevated up to the nestling provisioning period, as long as ambient temperature remained below a threshold level of 0–2°C. These results indicate that snow buntings must maintain a high thermogenic capacity after arrival on the breeding grounds if temperatures remain below freezing, regardless of whether birds are actively breeding or not. In this context, our research suggests that these birds, and possibly other arctic breeding songbirds, may experience cumulative physiological costs during years with a late onset of spring, when breeding activities (i.e., egg production and incubation) begin while temperatures are still below 0–2°C.

The Sound Frontier of Wixaritari Ritual Experts: Liminality, Rain Control, and Protection From Rain

The sound frontier is a state of the senses. It is the ability to perceive a physical presence of sounds circulating in space and time: actions, emotions, and behaviors. In pursuit of analogies of ancestral history and ceremonial practice, Wixaritari ritual experts from Tierra Azul use the word ‘enierika to refer to vision-acoustics and nierika to speak of acoustic-visions at the liminal, divine intersticesof hearing. The rebirth of life is about gaining agency to set and control the duration of rainfall, and master the cycles of darkness-light. As a result of cosmopolitics, the divine iconicity of sound figures into rural land borders, the defense of cosmogonic territory, and the handling of ancestral disagreements.

The role of technological modernization in Brazil's border security: a study on the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON)

The central purpose of this study is to conduct a scientific analysis of the influence of technological innovations on crime mitigation and the enhancement of public security in the border zone of Brazil. This examination aims to understand how the adoption of cutting-edge technologies can contribute to reducing criminal activity and strengthening security in the country's border areas. This study is of great relevance as it seeks to assess the importance of implementing the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON) as a preventive and repressive measure against crimes in the border regions between Brazil and other Latin American countries. SISFRON is essential as it integrates the Armed Forces, government agencies, and federative states, playing a crucial role in National Defense. The methodology employed in this work is based on a deductive approach, involving qualitative bibliographic and documentary research. The analysis of institutional documents, mapping of key actors from institutions involved in border protection, and investigating their role in promoting public security and defending Brazilian borders are fundamental steps in this research. By concluding this study, it is expected to confirm that SISFRON emerges as a significant tool of the National Defense Policy. It not only focuses on internal security and strengthening territorial defense in border areas but also serves as a link for cooperation between neighboring countries, enabling the sharing of information and joint actions in combating various forms of transboundary illicit activities.

Women, Peace and Security as deterrence? NATO and Russia's war against Ukraine

Abstract NATO's security turn following Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine opened new prospects for adopting the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda from external operations to all tasks of the alliance. Drawing on feminist institutionalism and feminist pragmatist approach to security, this article interrogates NATO's WPS localization in deterrence and territorial defence. I demonstrate that NATO has in the past decade been unable to operationalize WPS in deterrence and defence. I identify following obstacles to NATO's post-2014 WPS considerations: first, implementing WPS pragmatically as an external, depoliticized and low-priority military agenda pushed primarily by femocrats; second, taking WPS to the strategic level while omitting practical localization in deterrence and defence; and third, approaching WPS partnership with Ukraine as a unidirectional transfer of NATO's WPS knowledge to Ukraine rather than a mutual learning. I argue that these institutional factors made NATO's WPS implementation only reactive and ultimately ill-prepared for such gendered security crisis as the one caused by Russia's full-out war against Ukraine in 2022. The article makes the case for rethinking feminist conceptualization of deterrence through the convergence of WPS and resilience agendas. This concerns going beyond military deterrence and centring social and political practices which are linked to societal resilience.

Is syllable repetitions a song parameter important for male-male interactions in Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)?

Song complexity has been identified as one song characteristic important in female choice, whereas its role in male-male interactions is less clear and not much is known which song characteristics are specifically important for territorial defense. In Acrocephalus warblers, males seem to increase song complexity towards females but reduce it during territorial disputes. One possibility to reduce song complexity could be achieved by repeating individual syllables. In this context here we examined the importance of males repeating syllables in male-male interactions. We hypothesis that repeating syllables signals a males general fighting ability, aggressive status or willingness to attack. In a playback experiment we investigated the behavioral response of unmated, territorial Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) males towards two simultaneously singing intruders whereby the song of the two simulated intruders differs in the degree of syllable repetitions. The response of the territory owner was determined by using several behavioral parameters. Our results revealed that males approached faster and stayed significantly longer near the song with few syllable repetitions. However, the proportion of males approaching the song with high or low syllable repetitions first, as well as the minimal distance to which males approach to the two song types did not differ as well. Thus, the weaker response towards the high repetitive song playback suggests territorial males to be more intimidated by the aggressive nature of that song type.

Neighbour–stranger discrimination in an African wood dove inhabiting equatorial rainforest

We investigated within- and between-individual song variation and song-based neighbour-stranger discrimination in a non-learning bird species, the blue-headed wood-dove (Turtur brehmeri), which inhabits lowland rainforests of West and Central Africa. We found that songs of this species are individually specific and have a high potential for use in individual recognition based on the time–frequency pattern of note distribution within song phrases. To test whether these differences affect behaviour, we conducted playback experiments with 19 territorial males. Each male was tested twice, once with the songs of a familiar neighbour and once with the songs of an unfamiliar stranger. We observed that males responded more aggressively to playback of a stranger’s songs: they quickly approached close to the speaker and spent more time near it. However, no significant differences between treatments were observed in the vocal responses. In addition, we explored whether responses differed based on the song frequency of the focal male and/or that of the simulated intruder (i.e., playback), as this song parameter is inversely related to body size and could potentially affect males’ decisions to respond to other birds. Song frequency parameters (of either the focal male or the simulated intruder) had no effect on the approaching response during playback. However, we found that the pattern of response after playback was significantly affected by the song frequency of the focal male: males with lower-frequency songs stayed closer to the simulated intruder for a longer period of time without singing, while males with higher-frequency songs returned more quickly to their initial song posts and resumed singing. Together, these results depict a consistently strong response to strangers during and after playback that is dependent on a male’s self-assessment rather than assessment of a rival’s strength based on his song frequency. This work provides the first experimental evidence that doves (Columbidae) can use songs for neighbour-stranger discrimination and respond according to a “dear enemy” scheme that keeps the cost of territory defence at a reasonable level.

Communities, method of usage: unravelling mining guides, manuals and reports

Over the past twenty years, in different parts of the world, there has been an increase in environmental conflicts related to mining activities. In order to understand how agents in the extractive sector have described these conflicts and the way in which they have acted in response to them, this article analyzes two sets of publications produced during the last decade. Risk and trend reports for the extractive sector prepared through consultancies by Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and KPMG and three community relations manuals issued by the Brazilian Mining Institute, the National Confederation of Industry and the International Mining and Metals Council. We identified that the production and circulation of these materials are part of a set of authoritarian practices by extractive corporations set within at least three dimensions: i) an understanding that organized social actors who act in the defense of territories are risks that need to be managed; ii) the dissemination of “dialogue” and “social participation” techniques used to identify and classify social actors and iii) promoting the idea that the destiny of the territory is ineluctably linked to the corporation.

Evidence for individual vocal recognition in a pair-bonding poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator.

Individually distinctive vocalizations are widespread in nature, although the ability of receivers to discriminate these signals has only been explored through limited taxonomic and social lenses. Here, we asked whether anuran advertisement calls, typically studied for their role in territory defense and mate attraction, facilitate recognition and preferential association with partners in a pair-bonding poison frog (Ranitomeya imitator). Combining no- and two-stimulus choice playback experiments, we evaluated behavioral responses of females to male acoustic stimuli. Virgin females oriented to and approached speakers broadcasting male calls independent of caller identity, implying that females are generally attracted to male acoustic stimuli outside the context of a pair bond. When pair-bonded females were presented with calls of a mate and a stranger, they showed significant preference for calls of their mate. Moreover, behavioral responses varied with breeding status: females with eggs were faster to approach stimuli than females that were pair bonded but did not currently have eggs. Our study suggests a potential role for individual vocal recognition in the formation and maintenance of pair bonds in a poison frog and raises new questions about how acoustic signals are perceived in the context of monogamy and biparental care.

Exploration behavior differs between Darwin’s finch species and predicts territory defense and hatching success

Darwin’s finch species in the Galápagos Islands are famously distinguished by their morphology but less attention has been given to behavioral differences between species. In this study, we compared behavior between four Darwin’s finch species on Floreana Island: small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa), medium ground finch (G. fortis), small tree finch (Camarhynchus parvulus), and medium tree finch (C. pauper). After capturing birds using mist-nets, we measured three behavioral traits: (1) boldness during human handling, (2) exploration in a novel environment, and (3) aggressiveness towards their mirror image. First, we found that ground finches were bolder and more exploratory than tree finches, consistent with their distinct ecological niches on Floreana Island and with the theoretical prediction that diet generalists should be less wary of novelty. Second, we tested the ecological validity of these behavioral variables at the individual level by relating them to territory defense behavior and breeding success. We found that males that were more exploratory in the novel environment also reacted more aggressively to a simulated territory intruder and showed lower offspring hatching success during the breeding season. Hence, our findings support previous work showing behavioral differences between Darwin’s finch species and also suggest pathways by which behavioral differences among individuals might influence fitness.Significance statementClosely-related species that overlap in their geographical range may differ in their morphology and/or behavior, allowing them to occupy different ecological niches. In this study, we explored behavioral differences between four Darwin’s finch species on Floreana Island in the Galápagos Archipelago. We found clear interspecies differences in behavior, with the ground finches struggling more often during handling (boldness) and visiting more sectors in a novel environment (exploration) compared to the tree finches. After birds were released, we continued to observe a subset of male finches in the wild. An individual’s exploration behavior significantly predicted both its aggressive response to a territory intruder (simulated using song playback) and offspring hatching success during the breeding season. This suggests that individual differences in exploration behavior can potentially be used as a proxy for territorial behavior in the wild and may also predict fitness outcomes.

Elevational differences in territory defence response in native (endemic and non-endemic) forest birds on Viti Levu Island, Fiji

ABSTRACT Experimental approaches to measure territory defence can be used to interpret the relative magnitude of intraspecific aggression in different ecological contexts. The aim of this study is to examine the response of Fijian forest bird species to conspecific intruders using playback of previously recorded songs along an elevational gradient. We address two questions: Do different foraging guilds in Fiji’s forest birds show different patterns of territorial defence behaviour towards conspecific intruders? Secondly, do Fiji’s forest birds show stronger territorial defence at higher elevations? We explore these questions across two foraging guilds (insectivore and omnivore) on Viti Levu Island, Fiji. All four focal species had a stronger response at the highest elevation, and the endemic insectivore had the strongest response. Perhaps high elevation insects are less abundant and hence increased aggressiveness is favoured to defend the territory, and/or perhaps in general more aggressive birds colonise higher elevation areas, both ideas that require further testing. This study provides first insights into response to conspecifics in Fiji’s forest birds that can be explored in relation to avian behaviour also in the context of human activity, human disturbance and threats to the persistence of birds across elevational gradients.

Benthic Algal Assemblages Associated with Damselfi sh Territories in The Gulf of Thailand

Territorial damselfi sh are herbivorous fi sh that help maintain algal diversity and abundance by aggressive territorial defense and algal farming. We investigated the effect of territorial damselfi sh on algal diversity and abundance on a reef at Ko Taen, Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Ten permanent patches (20 × 20 cm2) were set up inside and ten outside damselfi sh territory and monitored bimonthly. We found 22 macroalgal species with fi ve dominant species: Polysiphonia sp., Padina minor, Ulva compressa, Gelidium pusillum, and Lobophora variegata. The abundance of Polysiphonia sp. was signifi cantly higher inside damselfi sh territory than outside. In contrast, the abundances of Gelidium pusillum, Padina minor, and Ulva compressa were slightly higher outside the territory. It might be perhaps because their feeding behavior, territorial defense, and farming activities altered the benthic community. These damselfi shes exclude other herbivorous fi shes from their territories and remove unpalatable algae and maintain their algal food crop. For species diversity, there was no signifi cant difference between algal species diversity outside and inside damselfi sh territories. Our results indicated that damselfi shes have a strong effect on algal abundance and composition.

Reintroduction of the Extinct-in-the-Wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) in the Caatinga Forest Domain of Brazil

We describe efforts to reintroduce the extinct-in-the-wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) within its historical range in eastern Brazil. Twenty captive-reared Spix’s Macaws were released, along with 15 Blue-Winged Macaws (Primolius maracana), as heterospecific flocks in two events during the dry and rainy seasons of 2022. We monitored the release groups through daily observation and telemetry tracking from early June 2022 to early June 2023. We documented an overall first-year survival of 58.3% (CI: 37.8–78.7%), with 65% of Spix’s Macaws establishing a stable area of activity within 5 km of the release site, excluding any temporary long-distance forays. Eighty-five percent of released Spix’s Macaws exhibited flock cohesion, including interactions with and integration into wild Blue-Winged Macaw groups at the release site. Several released Spix’s Macaws formed pair-bonds with conspecifics and engaged in nest cavity exploration, breeding behavior, and territorial defense of nest sites, with three females also laying and incubating eggs. One nesting pair successfully hatched and reared chicks in an artificial nest cavity. These releases employed a novel reintroduction strategy using a surrogate species model, the sympatric Blue-Winged Macaw, to “mentor” and facilitate post-release adaptation by the target species and increase the total number of individuals in the release cohort. Lastly, participatory monitoring by local citizens is considered a way to engage and involve local communities in species and habitat conservation and potentially create new employment opportunities in the region.

Criminological characteristics of traffic accident victims

The article analyzes the level, structure, and dynamics of road traffic accidents with casualties, fatalities, and injuries for 2012-2023 years in Ukraine. A stable general trend towards a decrease in the number of road accidents with victims (- 64.4%), as well as the number of dead (- 44.1%) and injured (- 66.0%) over the specified period, which is mainly related to incomplete accounting of statistical data that do not come from temporarily occupied territories and territories where hostilities are taking place. There was no noticeable improvement in the safety situation in the field of road traffic. In 2023 year, the number of road accident victims will increase, especially among children and pedestrians. Most often, accidents result in serious injuries or death are drivers (40.7%) and passengers (32.7%), as well as pedestrians (20.7%) and cyclists (5.7%) are most often seriously injured or killed in accidents. By age, people aged 21-64 dominate, followed by children from birth to 15 years old - 7.8%, people from 65 years and older - 6.2%, and 16-17-year-olds - 4.8%. New road users have appeared, namely: military personnel, volunteers, members of the territorial defense, who often create emergencies on the roads or become victims of road accidents. In the conditions of a protracted war, there is an increase in manifestations of victim behavior among road users, and at the same time, the discipline of vehicle drivers is decreasing. The largest number of dead and injured in road accidents fixed in the frontline regions and the capital. The situation in the western part of Ukraine stabilized. Infrastructural, psychological and behavioral factors related to war have a significant influence on the victimization of the population. About half of pedestrians and a third of cyclists killed or seriously injured through their own fault, ignoring safety rules. Motorcyclists, drivers of scooters, electric scooters, who move along the roadway without protective helmets in the dark are in the zone of increased risk. The number of road users vulnerable to accidents is rapidly increasing due to the low-mobility population groups affected by the war. This should be taken into account by the state in the new road safety strategy.

Algorithm for conducting practical training in providing first aid to victims in emergency situations

At the training center site in the Orenburg Region, the classes with citizens who arrived for recruiting a military unit for territorial defense were held. The classes were organized to acquire knowledge on providing first aid to victims in various emergency situations. During the classes, practical skills in providing first aid in the red, yellow, and green danger zones were developed. The citizens were shown various techniques for evacuating victims to a safe zone. During the practical classes, individual first aid kits – IFAK-3S, martial cloaks, carrying slings, and materials on hand were used. All participants in the training were instructed the rules of applying a tourniquet for external bleeding, methods of immobilizing injured limbs, carrying out anti-shock measures, applying bandages to wounds, and the procedure for evacuating victims to a safe zone on site. The knowledge gained will be the key to the life safety of affected citizens in the emergency zone.

���������-����Ͳ��ֲ�Ͳ ������ ������IJ� ��������� ������� ������� � ������� ϲ� ��� ���������� � �IJ������� ����IJ� ������в����ί �������

The relevance of the study of the theoretical and organisational foundations of interaction between the components of the security and defence sector in the planning and implementation of territorial defence measures is proved. The content of preparation for territorial defence measures is revealed. The tasks of organising interaction in territorial defence are defined. The tasks of territorial defence, which are performed jointly by the components of the security and defence sector, are investigated. Directions for further scientific research are provided.

Capture and discard practises associated with an ornamental fishery affect the metabolic rate and aerobic capacity of three-striped dwarf cichlids Apistogramma trifasciata.

Fishing causes direct removal of individuals from wild populations but can also cause a physiological disturbance in fish that are released or discarded after capture. While sublethal physiological effects of fish capture have been well studied in commercial and recreational fisheries, this issue has been overlooked for the ornamental fish trade, where it is common to capture fish from the wild and discard non-target species. We examined metabolic responses to capture and discard procedures in the three-striped dwarf cichlid Apistogramma trifasciata, a popular Amazonian aquarium species that nonetheless may be discarded when not a target species. Individuals (n= 34) were tagged and exposed to each of four treatments designed to simulate procedures during the capture and discard process: 1) a non-handling control; 2) netting; 3) netting +30seconds of air exposure; and 4) netting +60seconds of air exposure. Metabolic rates were estimated using intermittent-flow respirometry, immediately following each treatment then throughout recovery overnight. Increasing amounts of netting and air exposure caused an acute increase in oxygen uptake and decrease in available aerobic scope. In general, recovery occurred quickly, with rapid decreases in oxygen uptake within the first 30minutes post-handling. Notably, however, male fish exposed to netting +60seconds of air exposure showed a delayed response whereby available aerobic scope was constrained <75% of maximum until ~4-6hours post-stress. Larger fish showed a greater initial increase in oxygen uptake post-stress and slower rates of recovery. The results suggest that in the period following discard, this species may experience a reduced aerobic capacity for additional behavioural/physiological responses including feeding, territory defence and predator avoidance. These results are among the first to examine impacts of discard practises in the ornamental fishery and suggest ecophysiological research can provide valuable insight towards increasing sustainable practises in this global trade.

УГРОЗЫ СОЦИАЛЬНОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ РОССИИ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ

A threat to the national security of a country is a condition or action that poses a real or potential danger to its territorial integrity, political stability, economic development, defense capability and social development. The aggravation of threats to social security caused by geopolitical events and sanctions pressure can lead to disruption of public relations, social tension in society and deepening of existing social problems in the country. The article shows the evolution of understanding the content and importance of social security for the state, society and the individual. The study is based on the analysis of the impact of threats on the state of the country's social sphere, the social well-being of the population, its economic situation and legal protection. The authors have identified the key threats to the social security of the country, the source of which are internal problems, the solution of which is delayed or does not bring positive results. The rationale for the negative impact of threats was based on statistical material from official sources and surveys of the population by the country's leading research centers. During the analysis of the impact of digitalization on the development of the economy and society, the authors identified and justified its detrimental effect on the social stability of the country, which made it possible to classify it as a threat to the social security of the state. It is concluded that digitalization today is a sphere of spreading threats across all components of the social sphere of the state. The result of the study was the conclusion that due to the scale, depth and dynamics of influence, the system of countering threats to social security should include a whole range of measures, the implementation of which requires strict state control and evaluation of effectiveness.

“Nosotros en la tierrita tenemos esperanza”: defensa del territorio contra la minería en Ixtacamaxtitlán, PueblaV

Mexico occupies first place in mining exploration in Latin America, a situation that has caused alarm among native peoples because the implementation of extractive projects threatens their vital space. The objective of this paper is to analyze the actions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Ixtaca Project in Ixtacamaxtitlán, Puebla, as well as the strategies of territorial defense undertaken by the communities to stop its expansion. Data was gathered through one survey, one workshop and various interviews conducted in three communities affected by the project. Results discuss three actions of CSR: 1) job offers; 2) investment in community infrastructure; 3) support for social events. Three main defense strategies were identified: 1) collective agreements refusing to sell water to the company; 2) legal litigations in favor of the right to be consulted as native peoples; 3) the strengthening of peasant agriculture thanks to the defense of the ejido, the conservation of irrigation water and the support received from the federal program Sembrando Vida. The paper concludes that, despite the negative impacts of RCS actions, these strategies have proven effective because mining concessions have been cancelled and some families have returned to agriculture.

Territorial Defence Forces in Crisis Management – Status as of 2023

The article presents a report on the research conducted on tasks assigned to the Territorial Defence Forces within the framework of crisis management. The aim of the research was to determine the tasks imposed on the TDF soldiers by national legal acts and directive documents. The solution to the problem required the application of research methods such as the analysis and assessment of open sources of information, including legal acts, subject literature, and data provided by public administration and the Polish Armed Forces. Generalization, analogy, abstraction, and inference were also employed. The final outcome of the research was the identification of tasks carried out by the TDF command, acting as the Crisis Management Centre of the Ministry of National Defence, the TDF Commander as the Chief of the CM Centre at the MOD, the TDF brigade, and the soldiers themselves.