LEGAL AND STRATEGIC ASPECTS OF THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE OPERATIONAL AND INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES OF THE SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE AND IN INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL FORECASTING AS DETERMINANTS OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

This article analyses the legal and strategic aspects of implementing artificial intelligence technologies in the operational and intelligence activities of the Security Service of Ukraine. In the current climate, where the rate of accumulation of information resources outstrips the cognitive capabilities of human analysis, the author highlights the paradox of state vulnerability in the absence of algorithmic data processing tools. Focusing on statistical indicators, in particular the neutralisation of over 14,000 cyber incidents, it is demonstrated that the preventive function of the special services directly depends on the speed of threat identification.

Particular attention is paid to the conceptualisation of ‘operational and investigative forecasting’ as an evolutionary continuation of traditional methods of scientific prediction. The author draws on the experience of Operation «Spiderweb», considering it as an illustrative example of the complex dialectic between the probabilistic nature of algorithmic conclusions and the factual grounds for procedural intervention. It appears that the success of such measures is determined not only by technical superiority, but also by a balanced approach to signal selection in encrypted communication channels and digital traces, which allows the work of units to be transformed from reactive to preventive.

The scientific novelty of the publication lies in the development of an original algorithm for integrating artificial intelligence, based on the «human-in-the-loop» principle (human control). In particular, the proposed model functions as a deterministic four-stage cycle, beginning with preventive automated screening of anomalous behavioural patterns and logically concluding with direct human verification combined with a procedure of so-called «negative selection» of data sets.

Ultimately, the article concludes that artificial intelligence should serve solely as an intellectual guide, rather than as the decisive entity in making final procedural decisions. It is argued that the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the requirements of the digital age is a fundamental determinant of the preservation of national sovereignty in the context of hybrid aggression. Undoubtedly, the approach outlined in this work provides a scientific basis for the further improvement of legislation, harmonising the state’s security needs with European standards for the protection of human rights.


References

1. AI and security opportunities and risks. Towards a trustworthy AI based on European values. PASAG report 3 – 2020 – AI and security. (2020). Retrieved from: https://share.google/5Ig7N558YSBWPDI7D [in English].
2. NATO Communications and Information Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.ncia.nato.int/ [in English].
3. SBU neitralizuvala ponad 14 000 masshtabnykh kiberatak na Ukrainu z pochatku povnomashtabnoho vtorhnennia RF [SBU neutralized more than 14,000 large-scale cyber attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the RF]. (2026, January 27). Ukrinform. Retrieved from: https://www.ukrinform.ua/amp/rubric-society/4084571-sbu-nejtralizuvala-ponad-14-000-masstabnih-kiberatak-na-ukrainu-z-pocatku-povnomasstabnogo-vtorgnenna-rf.html [in Ukrainian].
4. Slidchi SBU rozsliduiut ponad 90 tysiach sprav, poviazanykh iz ahresiieiu Rosii. [SBU investigators are investigating more than 90 thousand cases related to Russian aggression]. (2025). Ukrinform. Retrieved from: https://www.ukrinform.ua/amp/rubric-society/3990276-slidci-sbu-rozsliduut-ponad-90-tisac-sprav-povazanih-iz-agresieu-rosii.html [in Ukrainian].
5. Zvit Natsionalnoi politsii Ukrainy pro rezultaty roboty u 2022 rotsi [Report of the National Police of Ukraine on the results of work in 2022]. (2022). Retrieved from:https://www.kmu.gov.ua/storage/app/sites/1/17-civik-2018/zvit2022/Zvit_polic_2022.pdf [in Ukrainian].
6. Shyshenko, A. A. (2025). Investigative actions in Ukraine, Germany and France: Comparative legal analysis of regulations and application practice. Analitychno-porivnialne pravoznavstvo [Analytical and Comparative Jurisprudence], (2), 1076-1082. https://doi.org/10.24144/2788-6018.2025.02.160 [in Ukrainian].
7. Analysis of statistics from the Prosecutor General’s Office. (2024). Retrieved from: https://vbpartners.ua/en/news-en/analysis-of-statistics-from-the-prosecutor-generals-office [in English].
8. OECD. (2023). Assessing potential future artificial intelligence risks, benefits and policy imperatives (OECD Artificial Intelligence Papers No. 27). OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/3f4e3dfb-en [in English].
9. IeS dlia tsyfrovoi Ukrainy [European Union for Digital Ukraine]. (n.d.). EU4DigitalUA. Retrieved from: https://eu4digitalua.eu/uk/ [in Ukrainian].
10. Law of Ukraine No. 2229-XII. Pro Sluzhbu bezpeky Ukrainy [On the Security Service of Ukraine]. (1992, March 25). Retrieved from: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2229-12 [in Ukrainian].
11. Albul, S. V. (2024). Operatyvno-rozshukova diialnist: suchasni doktrynalni ta prakseolohichni kontsepty [Operational and search activities: Modern doctrinal and praxeological concepts]. In Voiennyi stan: teoretyko-prakseolohichni problemy yurysprudentsii: kolektyvna monohrafiia (pp. 1-24). Liha-Press. https://doi.org/10.36059/978-966-397-421-7-1 [in Ukrainian].
12. Law of Ukraine No. 2135-XII. Pro operatyvno-rozshukovu diialnist [On operational-search activity]. (1992, February 18). Retrieved from: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2135-12#Text [in Ukrainian].
13. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2019). Proiekt Zakonu pro operatyvno-rozshukovu diialnist No. 1229 [Draft Law on operational-search activity No. 1229]. Retrieved from: https://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=66597 [in Ukrainian].
14. Movchan, A. V. (2017). Informatsiino-analitychna robota v operatyvno-rozshukovii diialnosti Natsionalnoi politsii [Information and analytical work in the operational-search activity of the National Police]. Lviv State University of Internal Affairs. 244 p. [in Ukrainian].
15. Law of Ukraine No. 2297-VI. Pro zakhyst personalnykh danykh [On protection of personal data]. (2010, June 1). Retrieved from: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2297-17#Text [in Ukrainian].
16. European Convention on Human Rights. (1950, November 4). Retrieved from: https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/convention_ENG [in English].
17. Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). (2024). Retrieved from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj/eng [in English].
18. Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1556-r. Pro skhvalennia Kontseptsii rozvytku shtuchnoho intelektu v Ukraini [On approval of the Concept of artificial intelligence development in Ukraine]. (2020, December 2). Retrieved from: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1556-2020-%D1%80#Text [in Ukrainian].
19. Sentient Program. National Reconnaissance Office. (2019). Retrieved from: https://www.nro.gov/Portals/65/documents/foia/declass/ForAll/051719/F-2018-00108_C05113688.pdf [in English].
20. MI5. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MI5 [in English].
21. Verfassungsschutzbericht 2023 [2023 Report on the Protection of the Constitution]. (2023). Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz. Retrieved from: https://surli.cc/iaetpz [in German].
22. Loi n° 2015-912 du 24 juillet 2015 relative au renseignement [Law No. 2015-912 of July 24, 2015 relating to intelligence]. (2015). Retrieved from: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000030931899 [in France].
23. Operatsiia «Pavutyna» [Operation «Spiderweb»]. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://surli.cc/isoihp [in Ukrainian].