The Verkhovna Rada Wants to Expand State Security for Officials and the President's Family
Bill No. 16009 has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada; it provides for a significant expansion of the group of individuals eligible for state security protection, as well as an extension of the duration of such protection.
The bill proposes that certain officials and military leaders continue to receive state security protection for another 5–10 years after their terms of office end.
For members of the President’s family, lifetime protection may be provided under the conditions specified in the bill.
The bill proposes extending state protection, in particular, to:
- the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine;
- the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine;
- the head of the intelligence agency of the Ministry of Defense;
- the Minister of Internal Affairs.
A separate mechanism is provided for members of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters and the National Security and Defense Council.
If a real threat to their life or health arises, the President of Ukraine may decide to provide state protection.
Under a similar principle, members of parliament may receive state protection if their lives are threatened during martial law. In such a case, the President’s decision is made upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada or the head of the State Protection Service.
The bill stipulates that certain officials and military leaders will be entitled to state protection for five years after their terms of office end.
For certain categories, it is proposed to extend this period to 10 years.
This applies, in particular, to individuals who were members of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters or the National Security and Defense Council, as well as to the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister, who held office during the period of the War for Ukraine’s Independence as defined by the bill.
At the same time, the right to state security protection will not be unconditional. In particular, it will not apply to individuals against whom a final conviction with a sentence of imprisonment has taken legal effect.
It is proposed that family members of other officials under protection who live with them be provided protection for the duration of the official’s term of office and for one additional year after the termination of their powers.
If an official dies a violent death as a result of his or her official duties, his or her family will be eligible for state protection during martial law and for another five years after its termination or repeal.
Separate rules are established for family members of the President of Ukraine. Under the conditions specified in the bill, they are to be provided with lifelong state protection.
At the same time, the document provides grounds for terminating such protection, including the removal of the President from office through impeachment.
To implement the proposed system, the authors of the bill propose significantly increasing the maximum authorized strength of the State Security Service of Ukraine.
This involves increasing the staff from 2,993 to 5,500 people—an increase of more than 2,500 employees.
It also provides for the involvement of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police in assisting the State Security Service in ensuring the safety of officials.
Separately, the bill stipulates that SBU units engaged in operational and combat activities and special operations must number at least 10,000 personnel during martial law.
Implementing the proposed changes will require additional spending from the state budget.
However, the authors of the bill have not yet specified the exact amount of funding required.
The relevant provisions are contained in Bill No. 16009, which has been registered with the Verkhovna Rada.
As a reminder, the Verkhovna Rada is considering the possibility of holding votes in an underground shelter during air raid alerts. Currently, they plan to test this format, while voting by phone remains an alternative option.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to introduce an alternative working format during prolonged air raid alerts. Members of Parliament will be able to continue their sessions and vote from a specially equipped shelter.
