Border security

Euro-2016 the target? French national 'with explosives & AK-47s' detained on Ukrainian border

Of the European nations, France was hit hardest by a wave of terrorist attacks last year claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State. The biggest were the attack by gunmen on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January, and the string of gun and bomb attacks throughout Paris in November, which collectively claimed 150 lives.

In Ukraine, after two years of economic deterioration and a military crackdown on rebellious eastern regions, a burgeoning black market for weapons has grown up. Small arms, grenade launchers, explosives and other heavy weapons are being stolen from the battle zone and are flooding the rest of the country. Ukrainian media report crimes, suicides and other incidents involving military-grade weapons every week.

Euro 2016 games are to take place at venues located in 10 French cities in June and July. It is the third time France is hosting UEFA’s championship on its soil.