The formation of the biometric database will become an effective tool of monitoring the stay of Russians in Ukraine and will prepare the basis for the introduction of visa regime, — said Co-Director of foreign relations and international security programmes Mykhailo Pashkov.

“Strengthening of the control over the entry to Ukraine for Russian citizens and the collection of their biometric data at the border since the 1st of January is a precondition of the introduction of the visa regime with Russian Federation”, — commented to the “Radio Svoboda” media Co-Director of the foreign relations and the international security programmes Mykhailo Pashkov.

“The biometric database of people who visit Ukraine for different purposes is currently forming. It is very important — fingerprints and other biometric attributes. A database which will be in contact with Interpol and other structures are forming. It is a very effective tool for controlling the stay of foreigners, in particular Russians in Ukraine. It is about the mode of notification and registration at the place of arrivals”, — he believes.

According to the expert, Russia is preparing to intensify the expansion under the hybrid war and Ukrainian special forces should be ready for this.

“The introduction of the visa regime with Russia has been discussing for a long time. Biometric control since the 1st of January is a movement towards this direction, strengthening control of entry-exit regime. The first step is biometric, the second is the alert mode, the third — control over the territory. These three steps are the eve of the visa regime, whether we want this or not”, — said Pashkov.