Ukrainian Border Guards Trained by FRONTEX to Strengthen Travel Document Security at Palanca
June 17, 2025
As part of its broader efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s border management capacity in line with EU standards, EUAM organized a joint specialized training in cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency- FRONTEX. The training, held at the Jointly Operated Border Crossing Point Palanca on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border, brought together sixteen frontline officers from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, representing several border crossing points under the Southern Regional Directorate.
Delivered by experienced FRONTEX trainers, the training focused on enhancing operational capacity for document checks during border control procedures. Topics covered included document fraud detection, imposter recognition, the morphing technique, security features of substrates and current trends in forged and falsified document use.
The training also incorporated hands-on exercises. In one session, officers were asked to distinguish between genuine passport photos and those altered to impersonate someone else. In another, they examined various EU travel documents and residence permits to determine their authenticity. Trainers present examples of European methods and technologies, including references to software commonly used by EU border services.
“This training is vital in strengthening Ukraine’s border security capabilities,” said Calin Soare, FRONTEX document expert and instructor. “By providing Ukrainian border guards with the latest tools and techniques, we are enhancing their ability to combat cross-border crime and protect the integrity of the EU’s external borders.”
This training is held under the working agreement concluded in February 2024 between EUAM and FRONTEX that enables FRONTEX to contribute expertise to EUAM’s targeted capacity-building activities, especially in areas linked to Integrated Border Management.
“These joint EUAM-FRONTEX specialized trainings aim at enhancing the operational capacities of the first-line officers and support sustainable capacity building for SBGSU officers, while integrating EU standards and best practices. It’s part of our ongoing cooperation with FRONTEX and other international agencies, and we intend to continue these efforts,” said Aristeidis Stamoulis, EUAM’s Senior Border/IBM Adviser. “Ukraine’s EU candidate status demands enhanced advisory support, and EUAM is committed to delivering that jointly with FRONTEX.”
The focus on travel document security responds to persistent threats from the use of falsified, forged, or impersonated documents, a trend that continues to grow with increased cross-border movement. Strengthening expertise in document verification is essential to ensuring effective border checks, not only to safeguard Ukraine’s borders but also to protect the EU against illegal migration.
By investing in the skills of its border officers Ukraine is bolstering its capacity to prevent cross-border crime, deter illegal migration, and align with the European standards of Integrated Border Management.
