Intelligence and operational activities of the Security service of the ukrainian Nationalists’ Organization: historical and legal aspect

Abstract

The objective of the publication is to determine the historical and legal aspects of the research organization and operational activities of the Security Service of the Ukrainian Nationalists’ Organization as a public authority with special powers, which, even in the absence of national statehood, carried out effective activities and opposed the Soviet and Nazi intelligence agencies of the time. The methodology involves a complex analysis and generalization of the theoretical and initial material and the further formulation of corresponding conclusions and recommendations. For the research objectivity, a complex of general scientific, special and legal, special and historical and philosophical methods of scientific knowledge, the principles of objectivity, systematicity and comprehensiveness were used. It was established that the OUN Security Service was formed in February 1939 and for the next years it was organizationally issued as the separate executive body possessing numerous functions and powers. The main functions were intelligence and operative which were intended to resist to the Soviet, German and Polish intelligence agencies and also to fight against the «melnykivtsi» and other Ukrainian political movements that were antagonistic to the OUN. Intelligence activities were accurately structured and were guided by the NKVD Soviet bodies in their organizational structure. Operational activity also included preparation and conducting interrogations and the execution of the relevant documentation.The article describes the experience of conducting intelligence and operational work of the SB OUN which emerged before World War II, managed to resist to the German, Soviet and Polish special services effectively, and became an example of the effective model of the safety power body organization the experience of which can be used today. The results of the research can be used in further historical and legal and philosophical and legal researches and the preparation of special courses.