The Internal Troops of Ukraine (, Vnutrishni Viys'ka Ukrayiny - Interior forces of Ukraine; abbreviated ВВ, VV') was a uniformed gendarmerie in Ukraine which merged with the National Guard of Ukraine on March 13, 2014. They are subordinate to the Chief Directorate of Ministry of Internal Affairs (the country's civilian police authority), and cooperate with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The VV are used to assist militsiya in policing, deal with riots and internal armed conflicts, and safeguard important facilities such as nuclear power plants. In wartime, the Internal Troops are under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian armed forces for local defense and rear area security.