СYBERCRIME AS A TRANSNATIONAL PHENOMENON: CRIMINOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL MECHANISMS FOR COUNTERING IT IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article argues that the transnational nature of cybercrime necessitates a comprehensive integration of criminological and international legal approaches, both in its academic analysis and in practical countermeasures. The key determinants of this phenomenon in the context of digitalisation are analysed, in particular socio-economic, technological and regulatory factors. Particular emphasis is placed on international legal instruments for combating cybercrime and the specifics of their implementation in Ukraine. The provisions of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime are examined, and the role of international organisations in this field is outlined. Directions for improving the national mechanism for preventing and combating cybercrime are proposed. It is argued that international legal instruments, in particular the provisions of the Budapest Convention, are of decisive importance for the formation of an effective system to counter cybercrime, as they contribute to the harmonisation of the criminalisation of relevant acts, regulate procedures for the collection of digital evidence, and strengthen international cooperation. The paper emphasises the desirability of more actively incorporating international standards into national criminal policy, as well as adapting mechanisms for international cooperation to the conditions of hybrid threats. It has been demonstrated that cybercrime can only be effectively combated through a systematic approach that combines national and international efforts, the use of modern technological solutions, and strict adherence to human rights standards. It is precisely this approach that ensures an adequate level of security in the digital environment and guarantees the protection of individual rights and freedoms. The conclusions emphasise that Ukraine’s priority tasks remain the further implementation of international standards, the modernisation of national legislation, and the improvement of the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. It is also important to strengthen institutional capacity, develop technical capabilities, and improve the professional training of specialists in the field of cybersecurity. Future research should focus on analysing specific forms of cybercrime (in particular ransomware, phishing and cyber espionage), as well as on developing criminological models for forecasting and assessing risks in the digital environment.