Ukrainian parliament toughens penalty for crimes against national security

Ukraine's parliament has approved amendments to the penal code toughening the penalty for crimes against Ukraine's national security.

Encroaching on Ukraine's territorial integrity will be punished by 3 to 5 years in prison while the jail term for reoffenders is 5 to 10 years.

If breaching territorial integrity results in manslaughter or grave consequences, the penalty is 10 to 15 years in jail or life imprisonment.

Another amendment spells out responsibility for obstructing "during special period" the legal activity of Ukraine’s armed forces and other military units formed in accordance with Ukrainian law.