OSCE continues to strengthen specialized canine units to combat illicit weapon trafficking

As part of its ongoing commitment to regional stability, the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre facilitated a workshop focused on the development of canine capacities to combat the illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition, and explosives (WAE) from 13 to 16 April in Michalovce, Slovakia.

The workshop brought together specialised units from the Security Service, the State Customs Service, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, accompanied by trained service dogs. The primary objective was to modernise the operational response to shifting security threats and reinforce the collective defence against illegal movement of WAE.

Participants trained on advanced search tactics tailored to operational environments, including the SAMBI detection technique and scent recognition for high-profile explosives. Practical sessions emphasised flexibility, with canine teams performing drills on helicopters, boats, and vehicles at designated border control check areas. To ensure holistic readiness, the program also included human emergency medicine for first responders and specialised consultations using scent carousels to maximise the unique working abilities of each dog.

"The most valuable takeaway from this training for me was mastering the skills to manage a service dog under high-stress conditions. During the practical sessions, we practised helicopter boarding and disembarking for the first time, which proved to be a significant challenge for the dog. Applying new redirection techniques allowed us to stabilise the dog's state and successfully complete the assigned task. The experience gained has strengthened our interaction and level of trust, which is a critical factor for the effective detection of illicit items and countering their trafficking," noted Roman Korotsinskyi, a representative of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

Sessions also explored current trends in weapon proliferation and the evolving modus operandi of traffickers.

By aligning with European methodologies, the training emphasised that canine units are often effective means of detecting sophisticated concealments that evade traditional technology. Following the workshop, the participants will transfer this specialised knowledge back to their respective agencies, ensuring a sustainable and unified approach to securing the region’s borders.

The workshop was implemented in close co-operation with Slovakian Police authorities, FRONTEX, EMPACT Firearms and EUAM Ukraine, and as part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project "In support of strengthening the capacities of Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition and explosives in all its aspects", funded by the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Poland and U.K.