Address of Acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov to the nation
Dear fellow citizens
Events in the East of our country have demonstrated the inaction, helplessness, and sometimes the criminal betrayal of members of our law enforcement agencies in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
This is one of the main reasons for the low effectiveness and lack of results of Ukrainian law enforcement in the struggle against terrorism.
This is hard to admit, but it is true. The vast majority of law enforcement officials in the East are not capable of fulfilling their obligations to protect our citizens.
In Donetsk and Luhansk, new heads of the SBU (Security Service) have already been designated. The leadership of the special force “Alpha” has been completely replaced.
I am also demanding that the Minister of the Interior dismiss heads of the oblast departments of the Ministry of the Interior in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. All the representatives of the police structures in place who are incapable of performing their professional duties will be dismissed. These so-called “law enforcement” members who betrayed Ukraine and began cooperating with terrorists will be responsible before the law.
The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts has shown that we have no other choice than to carry out a complete renewal of the police and the Security Service in the East of the country. Those units that surrendered to terrorists without resistance are incapable of protecting the lives and safety of people and to take effective measures to prevent the terrorist threat. They must be completely replaced.
In order to form new and effective units of the Ministry of Interior and the Security Service, we need the help of Ukrainian patriots, especially those who live in the East of Ukraine. This concerns primarily the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
The country needs this decision from you in order to restore the safety of citizens and to take effective steps to stop the terrorist threat. It is this action that will allow us to protect our country at this difficult time.
In the central offices of the Interior Ministry and the Security Service we have installed “hot lines” for registration by volunteers, especially those who have experience in law enforcement and in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
If the current security forces are incapable of operating in these regions, then we need to replace them to ensure that the duty to protect law and order is carried out.
I believe that together we can protect our country!
Ukrainian text: http://www.president.gov.ua/news/30320.html
Translated by Anna Mostovych
