“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 37 (2026), pages 593–603.
DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2026-37-593-603
Kubalskyi Vladyslav
Concept of national security as an object of criminal law protection
ISSN online: 2617-9776 print: 0869-2491
Introduction. Since the beginning of russia’s armed aggression, Ukraine has sought above all to protect its national security, namely its state sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order in connection with russia’s armed aggression. Given the existential challenges facing Ukraine in the context of russia’s full-scale invasion aimed at destroying the Ukrainian state, it is advisable to formulate a definition of national security as an object of criminal law protection, which is important for criminal law theory, law-making and law enforcement practice in this area. Such a definition will contribute to ensuring legal certainty, further improving legislation and enhancing the level of criminal law protection of national security. In the context of war, there is no doubt about the priority of national security as an object of criminal law protection. Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine is objectively the main threat not only to national security, but also to the very existence of the Ukrainian state and nation. In today’s world, national security is seen as a must for the state to exist and grow. Protecting national security is a top priority for Ukraine’s anti-crime policy. Given the unconditional priority of our state’s security and defence against russian armed aggression, the understanding of national security must correspond to the level and nature of modern threats, because we are talking about the survival, preservation and sustainable development of Ukraine as a sovereign state. Ultimately, it should be borne in mind that security is an individual, social and global need and necessity. At the same time, scholars note that there is still no single understanding of the concept of national security and its components. The aim of the research paper is to formulate a definition of national security as a priority object of criminal law protection in the context of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Conclusions. In scientific works, researchers define the concept of «national security» using various characteristics, which is primarily due to the lack of a unified approach to its definition. Based on the results of the analysis of interpretations of this concept by scientists and the legislative definition, the author’s doctrinal definition has been formulated. National security of Ukraine as an object of criminal law protection should be understood as the order of social relations protected by the law of Ukraine on criminal responsibility, which ensures, first of all, the security of the existence, life and development of the Ukrainian people and state, state sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic constitutional order from internal and external threats, protection of national and organisational stability, fundamental national interests of Ukraine and preservation of national values of Ukraine.
Keywords: security, national security, subject of criminal law protection, armed aggression by russia, national interests, threats, protection, state sovereignty, territorial integrity.
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Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 18.12.2025
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 03.03.2026
Дата публікації: 24.03.2026