FEATURES OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE IN THE SPHERE OF COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROTECTION OF ECONOMIC SECURITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE LEGAL REGIME OF MARTIAL STATE

Abstract

The scientific research is devoted to the topical issue of the peculiarities of the functioning of the SBU 
in the field of counterintelligence protection of economic security under the legal regime of martial law. It 
is argued that the issue of countering threats to economic security is extremely important from the point of 
view of supporting the defense capability of the state. Its role is confirmed precisely in wartime as one of the 
bases for the prospective ability of the Ukrainian state to deter the aggressor. It is noted that the existence of 
vulnerabilities in this area, in the conditions of hybrid war, will provide significant advantages to the occupier in 
encroaching on the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine.
The attention is focused on the need to strengthen all areas of work of law enforcement entities. Among 
such vectors, counterintelligence measures are highlighted, the potential of which is insufficiently revealed at 
the current stage of state formation. Accordingly, the importance of highlighting the legal position of the SBU 
from this perspective, taking into account the competence of the body, is emphasized.
To achieve the goal, a general description of common threats to economic security, which are often 
implemented through intelligence, subversive and espionage activities in the same area, was provided. 
In particular, their concept was formulated, it was proven that such threats are usually differentiated into 
certain groups according to various criteria. Named are the threats that are often implemented through 
intelligence, subversive and espionage activities encroaching on the national economic interests of Ukraine. 
The author’s vision of the properties and signs of the relevant phenomena, factors and trends in the current 
conditions is proposed.
The content and role of counterintelligence activities in countering threats to economic security are 
highlighted and assessed. It is emphasized that this is a range of special and specific measures aimed at 
identifying and timely warning and preventing external and internal threats to the security of Ukraine by relevant 
entities encroaching on the interests of Ukraine. It is emphasized that its content consists in applying such 
measures to achieve the goals described above and, accordingly, ensuring economic security.
The essence of the legal position of the SBU as a subject of counterintelligence activities on countering 
threats to economic security is revealed. It is found out that it is a special-purpose state body with law 
enforcement functions, which ensures the state security of Ukraine and must respond to these problems in 
a sustainable and effective manner. It is proved that the current competence of the body gives grounds to 
position it as a subject that makes its significant and unique contribution to ensuring economic security.
The domestic legislation in this area has been analyzed to identify controversial provisions that are 
worth attention from the perspective of improvement, and the corresponding directions have been identified, 
especially under the conditions of the legal regime of martial law. It has been emphasized and proven 
that a priority response to these problems is the key to building an effective institution with a developed 
counterintelligence potential.