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Ukraine's parliament has taken a significant step toward consolidating the nation's cyber capabilities by approving, in a first reading, legislation to create a dedicated Cyber Force within the Armed Forces. The proposed Cyber Force would unify both offensive and defensive cyber operations under a single command, reporting directly to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. This new branch would be responsible for conducting military cyber operations, digital defense, intelligence gathering, threat hunting, and building secure military infrastructure. The initiative is designed to align Ukraine's cyber defense posture with NATO standards, a move seen as critical as the country continues to seek closer ties with the alliance. The bill also introduces the concept of a cyber reserve, allowing civilian technology experts to be temporarily mobilized to support military cyber operations without requiring them to become full-time service members. This approach is expected to strengthen collaboration between Ukraine's robust tech sector and its military, a relationship that has already seen some cybersecurity professionals volunteering their expertise. The government plans to allocate 14 million hryvnias (approximately $336,000) in 2025 to establish the new branch. While the initiative has been welcomed by many in the cybersecurity community, some lawmakers, such as Oleksandr Fediyenko, chair of the parliament's cybersecurity subcommittee, have expressed concerns that merging offensive and defensive roles could create operational confusion. The idea for a dedicated Cyber Force was first discussed in 2021, but only now has it gained significant legislative traction. If the bill passes a second parliamentary vote and receives presidential approval, Ukraine will, for the first time, have a formal military structure for cyber operations. This development comes against the backdrop of ongoing cyber conflict with Russia, where Ukraine has relied on both volunteer hacktivists and official military intelligence units for cyber operations. The formalization of a Cyber Force is expected to enhance Ukraine's ability to defend its military systems and conduct coordinated cyber campaigns. The move is also seen as a way to institutionalize lessons learned from the war and to ensure that Ukraine's cyber capabilities are both resilient and adaptable. The establishment of a cyber reserve is particularly notable, as it provides a mechanism for rapid mobilization of technical expertise in times of crisis. The bill's progress reflects Ukraine's recognition of cyberspace as a critical domain of modern warfare. The proposed Cyber Force would also be tasked with building and maintaining secure digital infrastructure for the Armed Forces, further strengthening national security. The legislation awaits a second reading in parliament and subsequent presidential approval before it can be enacted. If successful, Ukraine's Cyber Force could serve as a model for other nations seeking to integrate civilian cyber talent into military operations. The initiative underscores the increasing importance of cyber capabilities in national defense strategies worldwide.
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Ukrainian authorities took formal steps toward creating a dedicated Cyber Force intended to conduct offensive cyber operations. Multiple reports in mid-October 2025 describe the effort as moving closer to establishment, with the force framed as a new military cyber capability.
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Ukraine’s parliament approved a major government reshuffle that includes appointing **Mykhailo Fedorov**—formerly minister of digital transformation—as the new defense minister, with a mandate to modernize the armed forces through technology. Fedorov has been closely associated with Ukraine’s wartime digitization efforts and initiatives such as the **“Army of Drones,”** and he publicly emphasized expanding cyber operations against Russia and countering Russian information operations, alongside plans to apply AI to anticipate and disrupt attacks and to accelerate domestic production of advanced munitions. In parallel, parliament voted to dismiss **Vasyl Maliuk** as head of the **Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)** as part of broader leadership rotation across law-enforcement and defense institutions ordered by President **Volodymyr Zelensky**. Maliuk said he would remain within the agency to continue operations against Russia; his tenure included high-profile drone and maritime-drone operations (including the **“Spider Web”** strikes and use of **Sea Baby** naval drones). Reporting indicated **Yevhenii Khmara** (SBU Alpha unit) would serve as acting chief, and the shake-up was framed by Zelensky as a precautionary move to sustain Ukraine’s defense if the war continues.
Jun 29, 2026
Nations are increasingly integrating cyberspace into their military and national security strategies, developing both defensive and offensive capabilities to project power and protect their interests. Experts highlight that while technological advances in forensics and artificial intelligence have improved cyber defense, attributing responsibility for cyber operations remains a significant challenge. The formal recognition of cyberspace as a domain of warfare by organizations like NATO has led to the establishment of specialized units and procedures for both conducting and attributing cyber activities, often in coordination with other domains of conflict. Recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, have demonstrated the evolving nature of offensive cyber operations, with countries like Ukraine leveraging both state and non-state actors to conduct attacks that target military and civilian infrastructure. These operations have sometimes challenged established international norms and legal frameworks, as seen in Ukraine's willingness to militarize hacktivist groups and target a broad range of assets to achieve strategic objectives. The adaptation of adversaries and the ongoing debate over responsible behavior in cyberspace underscore the complexity and high stakes of modern cyber conflict.
Jun 29, 2026
The United States is actively considering the establishment of a dedicated Cyber Force as a new military branch, with Congress directing the National Academies to study potential organizational models for such a force within the Department of Defense or a possible Department of War. This move is seen as a natural progression following the creation of the Space Force, and it is being closely examined by various policy organizations in Washington. The rationale behind a Cyber Force is rooted in the recognition that cyber power is a critical component of national power, influencing not only military operations but also diplomacy, economic growth, and cultural influence. The military's role in cyberspace, while important, is considered just one aspect of a broader national cyber strategy. For a Cyber Force to be effective, its mission must be precisely defined to ensure decisive action and proper allocation of resources, while also maintaining the primacy of civilian leadership in areas such as economic innovation and cultural influence. The United States currently leads in cyberspace due to its economic strength, innovative capacity, and global cultural reach, and a well-scoped Cyber Force could amplify these advantages. In parallel, federal agencies are facing significant challenges related to aging mainframes, a shrinking pool of technical expertise, and increasing expectations for digital services that match those of the private sector. A recent report from the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, supported by Rocket Software, outlines a path toward 'mission-ready modernization' that emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and automation, particularly in environments where connectivity is limited. The report highlights the importance of explainable and auditable AI, especially for defense and intelligence missions, and stresses the need for upskilling the federal workforce to bridge critical skills gaps. Modernization efforts are encouraged to focus on mission outcomes rather than mere technology replacement, advocating for practices such as DevSecOps and hybrid cloud architectures. The cultural shift toward resilience, transparency, and adaptability is seen as essential for secure government transformation. Trusted partnerships and the adoption of explainable AI are identified as key enablers for achieving secure, mission-aligned modernization across federal agencies. These developments reflect a broader trend in the US government toward strengthening cyber capabilities, both through organizational innovation and technological advancement, to ensure continued leadership and resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Jun 29, 2026