The dissertation comprehensively examines the problem of legal status, organizational structure and activities of Soviet state security bodies in Ukraine, their role and place in the system of totalitarian rule.
It is proved that the Soviet security authorities in Ukraine during the rule of the totalitarian regime, given the evolution of the system of totalitarian rule, as well as the specifics of changes in organizational structure, legal status and law enforcement activities went through four stages. At the first stage (1929-34) in the conditions of the establishment of the totalitarian regime, the priority areas of state security were: struggle against the opposition, “anti-Soviet” sentiments, political repression, organization of "dekulakization", famine, control over the financial and economic system states. During the second stage (1934-39), amidst further strengthening of the totalitarian regime, the management of general and specialized counterintelligence units of the state security bodies was centralized in order to ensure that they carried out large-scale repressive and punitive actions. The third stage (1939-45) reflected the specifics of the changes that took place in the organization and activities of state security agencies during World War II and the martial law regime: structural separation from the police, focusing on intelligence and counterintelligence, and during hostilities actions - on subversive work in the rear of the enemy and "cleansing" of the liberated territory from "traitors" and "anti-Soviet elements". The fourth stage (1946–53) was characterized by the transformation of state security organs in the conditions of the final phase of Stalinism and the beginning of the Cold War. The powers of the MGB of the Ukrainian SSR were significantly expanded. This was accompanied by the intensification of traditional activities in the field of protection of state security and endowing them with functions that are not specific to the secret services, in particular in the field of public order and the fight against general crime.
It is substantiated that the creation of the NKVS of the USSR and the NKVS of the UkrSSR was the result of a comprehensive, multi-stage transformation of state "power" structures, which was carried out by the Soviet party-state leadership during 1930-1934. This provided state security bodies with guidance and control over the protection of public order, passport system and system of execution of punishments, military formations of special purpose.
The analysis of the evolution of the system of local territorial bodies of state security in Ukraine is carried out. Peculiarities of the legal status, organizational structure and activity of military counterintelligence bodies of state security bodies on transport and state security troops are revealed. It was established that they had functional specifics and certain organizational features due to the construction of the armed forces and the transport industry.
The main methods of staffing the state security bodies are described. It was noted that preference was given to members of the VCP(b) and the Komsomol, politically committed to the regime, who underwent a special inspection procedure and met other established requirements. The analysis of normative-legal acts, which regulated the order of service and the legal status of employees of state security bodies, is carried out.
It is proved that the mechanism of state terror in the studied period consisted of a set of political-ideological, normative (legal) and institutional elements, which were created by the totalitarian government as an instrument of total control over society, suppression of resistance and dissent. State security agencies formed the basis of the organizational component of this mechanism. They were the main perpetrators of mass political repression and used various forms of quasi-judicial activity.
Forms and methods of state and party control and prosecutorial supervision of state security bodies are analyzed. It was established that state control was formalized, while party control was systemic and comprehensive, extending to all areas of state security.
