The article discusses the main directions of development of criminological science in conditions of social instability, and the manifestation of a whole range of destabilizing factors that threaten the national security of Ukraine. These are, first of all, Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, violation of the laws and customs of war, separatism, complete noncompliance with international law, international terrorism, extremism, organized transnational crime and other factors of a destabilizing nature. The need for further comprehensive research in the direction of determining the social role, functions and directions of development of modern criminology is summed up.