The terrorism threat is growing real and the administration of Ukraine and regions should step up countermeasures, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said.

Speaking at a teleconference with the heads of regional state administrations chaired by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, Turchynov said that armed opponents of the Kyiv authorities had increased their activity in Donbas and a series of terror attacks had been committed in recent days. Hence, the NSDC secretary ordered the formation of antiterrorism staffs in regions to coordinate combined efforts of law enforcement authorities.

He said the terrorist threat was real as never before and Ukrainian law enforcement agencies must do everything in their power so that the population felt safe.

Turchynov accused Russian authorities of the wish "to destroy Ukraine's statehood and independence."

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said at the conference police patrols had been reinforced to fight the terrorism threat in Kharkiv and other areas.

Similar measures will be taken in other cities, among them Zaporizhia and Odesa, and in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, he said.

"Patrolling may start across the country in order to prevent the terrorism threat. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions need a special regime. The patrols should respond not just to the terrorism threat. Antiterrorism groups of the National Guard will be working there too," the minister said.