A four-page decree, read solemnly on national television, pledged to dispatch patrols of soldiers and police into areas of criminal activity -- dormitories, hotels, markets, railway stations and ports. The new president also sacked the interior minister who had held his job for four years.
"The interior ministry and security forces are to concentrate their efforts on special operations against banditism, extortion rackets, hostage-taking and other serious crimes," the decree said.
A separate decree issued by the new president dismissed Interior Minister Andriy Vasylyshyn, who had held the job since 1990, well before Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union.
He was replaced by Volodymyr Radchenko, who served with Ukraine's security service and the KGB, its Soviet predecessor.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.