EU CBRN CoE Project 100 Strengthens Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Capabilities: Ukraine Conducts Technical Preparations for Cross-Border Biosafety and Biosecurity Field Training Exercise at Porubne Border Crossing Point
25/2513 May 2026
Kyiv, Ukraine – 13 May 2026
Representatives of the European Union CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative Project 100 Strengthening of Front-Line Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in South East and Eastern Europe and Ukrainian partner agencies conducted a technical coordination visit to the Porubne Border Crossing Point on 13 May 2026 as part of preparations for the upcoming Cross-Border Field Training Exercise aimed at strengthening frontline biosafety and biosecurity capacities at border crossing points.
The technical visit brought together representatives of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the State Customs Service of Ukraine, the Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, and the Project 100 expert team. The visit was organized to assess the operational suitability of the site, review interagency coordination arrangements, and finalize technical and logistical preparations for the exercise scheduled for August 2026.
Located on the border between Ukraine and Romania, Porubne Border Crossing Point serves as a strategic gateway connecting Ukraine with the European Union. Its role in facilitating international passenger and commercial traffic makes it an important location for strengthening preparedness and response capacities against biological and other public health threats with potential cross-border implications.
During the visit, participants reviewed and validated the exercise scenario, assessed operational layouts, confirmed communication and notification procedures, identified areas for controlled isolation and emergency response activities, and discussed the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies. The site was assessed as operationally suitable for the planned exercise, and key logistical and safety arrangements were agreed in principle.
The upcoming Field Training Exercise will test the coordinated response of frontline and supporting authorities to a simulated biological threat event involving a symptomatic traveller and a potential zoonotic risk. The exercise will focus on early detection, notification, risk assessment, interagency coordination, medical response, veterinary intervention, decontamination procedures, and restoration of normal border operations.
An important outcome of the technical visit was the confirmation of strong interagency commitment to strengthening preparedness for biological incidents at Border Crossing Points. The exercise will provide an opportunity to validate operational procedures, improve coordination mechanisms, and identify lessons learned to support future institutional development and capacity building.
The discussions also highlighted the value of the Project 100 Standard Operating Procedures and guidance documents as a practical framework for coordinating frontline biosafety and biosecurity measures among border, customs, public health, veterinary, and emergency response authorities.
The technical visit marks an important milestone in the preparation of the Ukraine segment of the Project 100 Ukraine-Moldova Cross-Border Field Training Exercise and demonstrates the continued commitment of Ukrainian authorities and their international partners to enhancing regional health security and resilience against biological threats.
Through Project 100, STCU continues to support partner countries in the South East and Eastern Europe region in strengthening frontline biosafety and biosecurity capacities, contributing to improved prevention, detection, and mitigation of CBRN risks at borders and points of entry.
STCU, together with the EU, extends its appreciation to all participants, presenters, and organizers who contributed to the success of these events. Their engagement and expertise were vital in achieving the shared mission of a safer, more secure region. This initiative underscores the EU’s and STCU's dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.