Ukraine Advances Towards Establishing Cyber Forces within the Armed Forces
The Verkhovna Rada has supported the bill in the first reading to establish Cyber Forces as part of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. According to the document, these new units will focus on cyber operations against external threats.
The idea of creating Cyber Forces has been under discussion since 2021, and recently, the Verkhovna Rada supported the corresponding bill in the first reading. A second reading is still ahead, but experts are confident that Ukraine’s capability for cyber defense and attacks will be significantly enhanced thanks to the new structure. According to specialists, coordinated actions will ensure effectiveness on the battlefield, unlike the current situation where various governmental services operate autonomously and unsynchronized.
The key tasks of the Cyber Forces include intelligence, conducting attacks, and coordinating actions among different units, such as the SBU, Main Intelligence Directorate, State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection, and cyber police. The bill stipulates that the Cyber Forces will not only focus on protecting Ukraine in cyberspace but also on active operations in the enemy’s electromagnetic spectrum. An important aspect will be cooperation with international organizations, including NATO, to ensure cybersecurity.
Experts believe that the new structure aims to avoid functional duplication through clear coordination of actions. Simultaneously, the bill provides for the creation of a cyber reserve, allowing specialists from various fields to be involved in operations both in peacetime and during special periods.
The establishment of the Cyber Forces may take up to six months, but the overall concept of this reform already garners support among Ukrainian experts. They believe that strengthening cyber defense is crucial not only for the country’s security but also for achieving operational success on the front lines.
| Main Tasks of the Cyber Forces | Goals |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | Studying the adversary’s information systems, conducting cyber reconnaissance |
| Attacks | Conducting attacks on the enemy’s information and communication systems |
| Coordination | Synchronizing actions among different Ukrainian cyber structures |
| Cyber Defense | Protecting the defense and military management systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| International Cooperation | Interacting with NATO and international partners |
