The State Emergency Service, which until December 2012 was known as the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine, takes care of the civil defense, rescue, and the protection of the population and territory during any emergency situation. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine has its own aviation unit, called the Special Aviation Unit and Operational Rescue Service of the State Emergency Service (Специального авиационного отряда Оперативно-спасательной службы гражданской защиты). It is based in Nizhyn to perform the rescue and the emergency situations functions.