Commander of the National Guard of Allers: it can not be said that Azov is a fully military formation
How likely is another wave of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine ?
What is the complexity of our relationship with Russia? The majority of the population has no claims to Russian-speaking people or even to those who come from Russia. Today the problem is precisely with the leadership of this country, which pursues the policy of the enemy. Putin at the next stage of formation of his career, continuing the race in elections, in some matters should play in public.
He can take steps that could lead to an aggravation of the situation in the Donbass. It is difficult to predict the development of the situation.
But we should look for opportunities to talk at the international level. Probably, you need to work out a new format.
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International format?
Different "arrangements" and "formats" - either half-dead, or have already exhausted themselves. We must find another way out of the situation. In some issues, we have reached a deadlock, and the resolution of the conflict upsets both the interests of Russia and the interests of our, Ukrainian politicians. But it is necessary, nevertheless, to sit down and talk. Perhaps in the format Ukraine-Europe-USA-Russia.
The introduction of the UN peacekeeping mission could significantly change the security situation in the ATU zone?
Right after the appointment of the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine (December 30, 2015 - IF), I said that only a mission that allows you to take control of the border will not allow the influx of weapons, ammunition and new formations. This will allow us to solve all the problematic issues that exist in these territories - both political and economic.
As of today, in which direction do you think it is necessary to strengthen work on the settlement of the conflict in the Donbass?
I highly appreciate the team that is negotiating the settlement of the conflict at the international level. Klimkin (the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavel Klimkin - IF) is a powerful leader who builds a strong foreign policy and attitude to it both inside the country and abroad.
As for the Donbas, here it is necessary to strengthen work in the matter of concern of the state in relation to its population. Local people do not have enough food and water, people need to give perspective, they must believe that tomorrow there will be salaries, pensions, and infrastructure development. This is also a strong law enforcement component. Only humanitarian missions are indispensable here. Today, we have just started fighting for the mind and heart of the inhabitants of Donbass, filling the information space with the Ukrainian vision of the situation.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, border guards, the National Police and the Emergency Situations Ministry have now drawn up such a strategy to provide both information space, material assistance and related activities to win the hearts and minds of local residents and show that we are with them.
Sooner or later we will take control of the Ukrainian-Russian border, begin to establish order, and then the law enforcement component will be the main one. I think that we will overcome these things if we move forward together.
What are the current tasks in the ATU zone carried out by the servicemen of the National Guard?
Today in the ATU zone, on average, about 5,000 people carry out tasks, in particular, it is the struggle against sabotage groups.
Also on the list of reconnaissance tasks - both aviation and direct. The work on the destruction of the enemy snipers is quite serious. We carry out control and restrictive measures in the ATU zone, tasks at roadblocks, platoon-support points. We carry out patrolling, provide activities related to convoying, and organize the protection of public order.
We also have anti-landing reserves, this applies to the Azov branch, which is responsible for countering the attempts of subversive and amphibious groups to enter from the sea.
These plans are all coordinated with the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and in the ATU zone the leadership of the segments of the National Guard directs the operation.
What assistance - advisory, technical, military - receives Natsgardiya from international partners?
Over the past two years we have been able to raise the level of international cooperation to such that we are recognized abroad, we are ready to provide assistance, we are ready to learn, and also to act together with us and study with us. These are all serious components and confirmation that we are on the right track. When I talk with ambassadors or military attaches, I immediately say: "We do not need your money." They are smiling.
Close cooperation with the United States provided an opportunity to receive serious assistance - in specific units and specific elements. In other cases, this assistance consists mainly in the preparation of our staff. Over 40 people have undergone serious training in the educational institutions of France, Italy, Romania, the USA, and the Baltic countries. This includes advanced courses of foreign language, safety of nuclear power plants, law enforcement component.
Romania gave us a powerful push to obtain the status of a member of the FIEP (Association of Gendarmerie and Police Forces of Europe and the Mediterranean, Natsgvardia became a member of the association on October 16, 2017 - IF). We went along the Romanian path, Bucharest chose the model of the gendarmerie of France and became a member of FIEP, when the country did not become a member of the European Union. For 3 years we have passed an incredible way, and this result shows that we appreciate the priorities of law enforcement agencies in Europe and in many respects they correspond.
We plan joint exercises and actions with the security forces of Europe. But for this it is necessary to improve our legislation, which does not allow us to use the National Guard abroad, in the context of participating in international missions and operations. But we are working on this, and I think that this will be achieved next year. For this it is necessary to supplement at least three laws. The relevant changes have been prepared and are being coordinated in different ministries.
Do you have foreign advisers?
We can not solve everything by ourselves, therefore we communicate a lot and study international experience. We used the potential of advisers who had passed their way in Georgia. I also had advisers from the National Guard of California, we are considering the issue of bringing an adviser from Romania on an ongoing basis, there are developments in the matter of advisers from the gendarmerie of France. This all testifies to our desire to study international experience and use it in our work. I am also interested in an expert assessment of whether we are moving in the right way.
We have close contacts with NATO. I also met with the advisers of the Minister of Defense, where we discussed the state of affairs in the National Guard with high-level advisers.
We are open to such contacts.
Please tell us about the state of affairs in the Brigade of rapid reaction of the National Guard.
You know, this division is a new model and unique in its own way. This is the result of efforts of patriots who decided to change something in military formations, and they were supported by the minister.
This is a modern brigade, which is formed according to the standards of NATO units. At the time when I came commander, she numbered about 150 people who went through very strict selection.
But to create new parts and divisions, you always need to create an infrastructure. These are good barracks, dormitories, canteens, sports facilities. To date, the country can not afford to create everything from scratch in a short time. Therefore, the development of this brigade is carried out gradually in all directions. For today in a brigade of 1200 people, the second battalion is almost completed.
Many officers and servicemen of other categories of this brigade speak English. They passed foreign language courses and took part in the exercises as part of the units, that is, the company's tactical group. The brigade is developing at a fast pace, it is provided with modern technology, armament. Now the field base in the training center in the village is being upset. Old (Kiev region).
The system of training military personnel of the NSU is changing?
We have already changed it. Themselves began to train instructors who train personnel. For this we attracted US instructors, the training took place at the Yavorivsky Test Site (Lviv region) for 2.5 months. 734 people were covered by this training program, of which we selected more than 200 people who became instructors. Now they are working in the established unit in Zolochev (Lviv region).
There we created a school for the training of sergeants, defined the basic level and levels of leadership training.
For today in the Rapid Reaction Brigade, full responsibility for everyday life, for the training process, falls on the sergeant's staff.
The riot-tactical group of this brigade carried out realistic tasks on the first line in the ATU zone for more than half a year, went through shelling of snipers and artillery.
Without losses?
No loss. In this brigade there was no loss. To our great regret, we have losses this year, because our group takes part in direct clashes during anti-diversion measures and anti-sniper actions. Since the beginning of the year, we have 27 victims and 16 dead. And in the industrial zone, and Avdeevka, and Zaitsevo. We are present in the Special Operations Forces at all sites because we have sufficiently trained specialists.
In what multinational and internal exercises did the National Guard take part this year?
This year, and Sea Breeze, and Rapid Trident, and Fearless Guardian. Just "Sea Breeze" showed how well we have well trained commandos who took part in operations for the use of units that can operate under water. We have a strong section of divers, combat swimmers, who can counteract sabotage manifestations that are used both on water and under water.
Our unit took part in the exercises of the police units in France, showing a fairly high level.
I personally took part in the closing ceremony and rewarding, and as commander of the National Guard I was proud of our fighters who. They were noted for the better in fulfilling the tasks of the anti-terrorist direction, protecting public order, providing assistance in crisis situations to the civilian population.
We are on the right track, and our training system has a fairly high level.
What are the priorities for development in 2018?
Conceptually, we determined that it is necessary to work out a qualitative management structure that meets today's modern standards. Some misunderstand NATO standards. This is not a postulate that needs to be copied. These are the standards that must be observed when working out the issues that make communication possible. Today, these principles must be observed when organizing logistics, organizing communications, training personnel, and preparing training and material facilities. That is, today we take what already has practical application in other structural subdivisions of the EU and NATO countries. We study and see how it suits us, and only then we embody it. Today much work has been done to switch to new models of modern equipment and communications.
We receive assistance from NATO countries.
We began to change the control points - at points of permanent deployment and in areas of special action. Now these are mobile mobile points and modern systems that have both telecommunications and satellite communications. They are equipped with new models of equipment, which are produced both in Ukraine and abroad.
The transition to a new organizational structure has not yet been completed, but this is somewhat formal. For this it is necessary to adopt certain legislative acts.
During this time, many events have been held, we have something to be proud of.
Are you satisfied with the level of funding laid in the state budget for 2018?
All questions in the law enforcement agencies should be resolved equally. Unfortunately, in most cases the main motivation is the salary, and there are people who leave and go to another service or formation, because they pay more. In NSU there are social programs, provision of housing, work is under way to create appropriate living conditions and conditions for service. The monetary allowance of a serviceman of the National Guard is more correlated with payments to the Armed Forces.
In the ATO zone, the military servicemen have an extra charge of 10 thousand UAH, our military on the 2nd and 3rd line - 4 thousand UAH. Those who take part in anti-diversionary, anti-sniper events, the same surcharge as the soldiers of the APU.
I clearly assess the financial possibilities of our country. As soon as the economy starts to work fully and the budget is filled, the formula "provision on demand" will begin to work. Today the formula "provisioning is possible". To date, 5% of Ukraine's GDP in the defense and security sector is a serious figure. But taking into account the fact that the country conducts military operations and opposes aggression is a necessity.
To ensure the development plan, it is necessary to 30 billion UAH per year. To date, allocated 9.9 billion UAH, this is without taking into account the special fund. There was an increase of UAH 1.2 billion. This is exactly the compensation of the salary increase, which we plan to do next year. The increase will be adequate to what is being conducted in the Armed Forces.
If the front edge of the ATU zone (extra charge for performing tasks on the 1st line in the ATO-IF zone) in the AFU, then there should be a surcharge in Natsgvardia, because we have a cutting edge - it's 360 degrees. Our servicemen die and are injured while performing service and combat tasks and inside the country in peacetime. I mean the victims of the Zhovtnev Palace (during the storming of the palace, more than 30 national guards) suffered by the supporters of Mikheil Saakashvili and those killed near the Rada (as a result of an explosion of a grenade at a rally on August 31, 2015, under the Verkhovna Rada, four National Guard ). Our fighters risk their lives no less than at the front.
The country's leadership and deputies should take this into account when allocating funds and approving financial programs.
For the past year corruption scandals have been rampant in various departments and services. Have there been any evidence of corruption or internal investigations in Nazgvardia?
No, it was not.
For today, unfortunately, the country is going through some stage of self-defense. In the current conditions of the socio-political situation, it is impossible to destroy the law enforcement or military component. This has a negative perception both in society and on the opponent's hand. Discredits. From this no one wins.
If someone committed a corruption crime, this should be investigated and proven, and as a consequence - the application of the relevant rule of law. But when they hurry to put handcuffs on a person on charges that later fall apart and are not proven wrong,
This all leads to a loss of trust among citizens to the country's top leadership, to state machinery in general.
For example, the accusations put forward by Pavlovsky (First Deputy Defense Minister Igor Pavlovsky, suspected of involvement in the embezzlement of more than 149 million USD of state funds in the purchase of fuel for the defense department - IF), can be applied to every official. I'm not sure that tomorrow they will not tell me that I'm a corrupt official, since I've changed apartments in Pechersk (50 apartments - IF) to apartments in Boryspilska. No one goes into the details of this situation. Over 10 years the house in Pechersk did not surrender, but after the exchange of 85 families received housing.
First you need to investigate, and then bring charges. And we somehow do the opposite.
The accusations against the exchange were from the media or anti-corruption structures?
Not accusations. It's just that some of the media gave this situation. For today there is no effective mechanism of responsibility for the distribution of unverified or unreliable information.
Are you satisfied with the state of discipline in units of the National Guard, including in former voluntary associations?
I belong to the category of people who do not deceive. As a commander, I am unhappy, but I can state that the morale and fighting spirit of the NSU military personnel is quite high. And I'm not happy because the selection system has not been improved yet. We select candidates for service on physical and personal data, and then during the service the person reveals himself, and it turns out that he is either morally not ready, or he has other factors that do not allow him to serve.
We monitor this situation and try to identify problems at the very beginning of the service.
But these are isolated cases.
Our soldiers show heroism and patriotism. I am proud of the service in the National Guard, I am proud that we have such fighters.
Battalion them. Kulchitsky, for example, are motivated guys, they were formed on the Independence Square and went to NSU in March 2014. There are 200 people from the battalion "Donbass", they were at war, and they are still doing a great job.
The Azov division is one of the best units on motivation. Given some of the points, it can not be said that this is a completely military formation, it has shades of volunteerism ...
Today, the National Guard is a new structure created from the Internal Troops and volunteer battalions.
The system of selection into volunteer battalions is also imperfect, we have criminal proceedings, and administrative ones, we give all of them a legal assessment and make a decision for each.
