Photo Traps Enhance Border Surveillance in Western Ukraine
January 23, 2026
The tasks of the border guards in the western regions of Ukraine are not limited to conducting checks at border crossing points. Another very important component of their work, which might not be very visible to the general public, is protecting stretches of the border between border crossing points – the so-called “green border”.
In addition to traditional patrolling activities and the use of service dogs, technical equipment has been long used to detect and prevent illegal border crossings, smuggling activities and conduct covert surveillance of remote or hard-to-reach locations.
To enhance the technical capabilities of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in this field, EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine has handed over a significant number of photo traps that will be installed along the green border in Volyn, Lviv, Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia regions.
Such equipment is also used for border surveillance in the EU Member States, like Estonia or Finland. Senior Border / IBM Adviser Aimar Koss mentions: “The photo traps are a useful early-warning tool used by border guards. And in Estonia, for example, the images can be also used as evidence in further prosecution of offences”.
“The advantages of this type of cameras are that they are not very expensive but rather easy to operate and install; they are portable, so their redeployment can be conducted very quickly; and they can capture images during dark hours,” says Senior Border / IBM Adviser Antti Hartikainen.
During a visit to Lviv region, EUAM Head of Operations Lynn Sheehan had a chance to get acquainted with the technical capabilities these devices provide for border guard detachments and the impact they have on their operations.
“Today’s visit has clearly demonstrated the practical impact of EU support on the ground. The donation of phototraps directly strengthens the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine’s early-warning and surveillance capabilities along the green border. EUAM remains fully committed to supporting border management reforms in accordance with EU and Schengen best practice”, emphasized Lynn Sheehan, EUAM Head of Operations.
Border guards share their impressions: “These cameras have positive recommendations and will become a good support to our operations in the controlled border areas”.
