Ukrainian serviceman and politician Yuriy Gudymenko criticized the proposed reform by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) concerning school security. He shared his opinion on the matter in a Facebook post, revealing his understanding of the motives behind the initiative to install metal detectors in schools and place police guards at educational institutions.
At first glance, this idea might seem like a measure aimed at safeguarding children. However, Gudymenko is convinced that there are several hidden goals behind the proposal.
Police Guards: Shield from Mobilization
According to Gudymenko, placing police guards in schools is a way to shield thousands of security officers from mobilization. Currently, the Department of Police Protection employs around 16,000 officers, and implementing this initiative will require even more personnel. The politician argues that this will create new job opportunities for “loyal” individuals, particularly those looking for a way to avoid participation in combat.
Budget “Dividing” on Equipment
The second reason behind the reform, according to Gudymenko, is the desire to funnel significant amounts of public money. This would involve the purchase of metal detectors, specialized equipment, vehicles, and ammunition for police officers. Such expenditures would allow funds to be directed to a small circle of suppliers, potentially fostering corruption schemes.
Creation of Additional “Security” Units
A third aspect that raises concerns is the potential expansion of the police protection force. Gudymenko claims that creating new units would allow for the recruitment of “privileged” individuals, such as the children of wealthy families, who would be granted mobilization exemptions and enjoy personal privileges through their new positions.
“It seems repulsive to hide behind children in a blatant attempt to divide budgets and create another “security” unit. This is not about safety, it’s about political and corrupt interests,” Gudymenko concluded.
Context of Russian Aggression: Security Becomes Political Leverage
The proposed MIA reform sparks particularly intense debates amid the full-scale Russian aggression. Ukrainian schools are already under threat from Russian missiles, and ensuring the safety of children and educational institutions must be a priority. However, initiatives like this force society to question whether the state is truly focused on the safety of children or whether it is simply using the issue as a political tool.
Such attempts to exploit a critical societal problem for personal or political gain reflect the significant challenges Ukraine faces not only on the battlefield but also within its internal politics.