Ukraine to create Armed Forces Cyber Forces: how they will protect the state in cyberspace

Ukraine is preparing to create Armed Forces Cyber Forces, which will be responsible for cyber defense and digital security of the state. Find out what tasks the new forces will perform and how they will cooperate with NATO partners

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The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has taken an important step toward strengthening the country's digital defense capabilities—lawmakers have approved draft law No. 12349 on the creation of the Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to a statement by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the decision was supported by 255 MPs.

The new branch of the military will become a separate military command within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, responsible for the state's cyber defense. This decision is another step toward strengthening Ukraine's digital security, which has been under constant attack from russian hacker groups since the start of the full-scale war.

Tasks and structure of the Cyber Forces

The explanatory note to the bill states that the Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will protect military and state information systems and respond to cyberattacks. They will report directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and will be under the overall command of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the President of Ukraine.

The main tasks of the Cyber Forces are:

● protecting the electronic communications systems and technological processes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;

● preparing and conducting military cyber operations;

● participating in joint cyber defense programs with NATO and partners to counter global threats in cyberspace.

Separately, there are plans to create a cyber reserve — a group of trained civilian specialists who will be involved in cyber defense tasks without undergoing full military service. They will work on a contract basis, without acquiring the status of military personnel, but will be able to perform critically important functions for the defense of the country.

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A step towards NATO standards and strengthening digital security

The creation of Cyber Forces should bring Ukraine's defense system closer to NATO standards. In Alliance countries, cyber components have long been an integral part of the armed forces, allowing them to effectively counter not only physical but also information and digital threats.

In addition to funding from the Ministry of Defense budget, there is a possibility of attracting international technical assistance, which will strengthen the technical base and provide modern software for the cyber forces.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the new branch of the military will become a separate military command within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, responsible for the cyber defense of the state. This decision is another step in strengthening Ukraine's digital security, which has been under constant attack from russian hacker groups since the start of the full-scale war.

How the Cyber Forces were formed

Although the bill is still going through the parliamentary process, the actual formation of the Cyber Forces began in 2021.

By presidential decree of August 26, 2021, decisions of the National Security and Defense Council, directives of the Ministry of Defense, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, structures responsible for cyber defense began to be created within the Armed Forces. It is on the basis of these units that they plan to form a full-fledged Cyber Forces.

On December 19, 2024, draft law No. 12349 “On the Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. On March 20, 2025, it was reviewed by the Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, which recommended the document for the first reading.

After the bill is supported in October, it will be finalized by the relevant committee. After that, the document will be submitted for a second reading, and after its adoption in its entirety and signing by the president, it will come into force.

At the same time, the Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already defined the key tasks, size, and timing of the formation of the Cyber Forces Command and its subordinate military units. The Main Directorate of Radio-Electronic and Cyber Warfare of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been appointed responsible for the process.

We remind you! Ukrainian cities are preparing for new challenges during large-scale power outages. Read how the metro, buses, and taxis will operate in our previous article.

Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

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