Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Dmytro Lytvyn, Advisor to the President of Ukraine, announced that all formal procedures regarding the appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as Head of the Presidential Office have already begun. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously offered Budanov this position.
In 2025, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with partners, intensified personnel training for the Air Force and unmanned systems units. As a result, over 5,000 UAV operators and almost one hundred cadet pilots were trained.
As of January 1, an updated procedure for military training of reserve officers, stipulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1612, is in force in Ukraine. The program allows citizens to obtain an officer rank and prepare for contract or conscription service.
From January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine will begin a new stage of defense procurement reform, where all procurements for the Defense Forces will be carried out by a single Defense Procurement Agency. This reform, which has been ongoing since 2023, has already shown effectiveness thanks to digitalization and the DOT-Chain system.
The "Impulse" system has started to be implemented in the units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to automate accounting and increase work efficiency.
The Ministry of Defense has started testing military registration through the "Reserve+" application. Men who turn 17 in 2026, or those aged 25 to 59, are invited to participate in the testing.
While searching for the "best candidate" for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba settled on Ihor Zelinskyi – a former deputy head of this body with a controversial legacy. Kuleba's relevant deputy commented on this choice and shifted all responsibility to the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Cabinet of Ministers plans to consider Ihor Zelinskyi's candidacy for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, lobbied by Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. This personnel decision raises serious questions given Zelinskyi's decisions made during his work in the leadership of the aviation regulator.
The Ministry of Defense has approved the concept of digital accounting and monitoring of fuel. Fuel storage and transfer tanks will be equipped with special sensors integrated with a digital accounting system.
President Zelenskyy instructed the First Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces to modernize the drone distribution system. This decision was made after criticism from units regarding the provision of the necessary number of drones.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to develop changes to the sky defense strategy. This is necessary to strengthen the protection of infrastructure and front-line positions.
President Zelenskyy held a Staff meeting where they discussed countering Russian "Shaheds" and Ukraine's "Drone Line. " Russia is using Belarusian territory to bypass Ukrainian defensive positions, placing equipment on residential buildings.
Civilians released from Russian captivity will receive a one-time cash payment of 50,000 hryvnias. To do this, an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Reintegration with a certificate from the Joint Center.
Ukraine's air defense forces have already received nine modern IRIS-T missile systems. These missiles are capable of rapid maneuvering, hitting targets on head-on courses and during pursuit, and distinguishing real targets from decoys.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is introducing state financial support for enterprises of the defense-industrial complex under financial leasing agreements. The program provides for a reduction in the lessor's remuneration for critically important defense industry enterprises, providing access to transport and equipment at reduced rates.
Former heads of the State Aviation Service, Oleksandr Bilchuk and Ihor Zelinskyi, made decisions that could have harmed Ukraine's defense capabilities. Their actions, including blocking the use of Il-76 aircraft and cooperating with Russian companies, should be investigated within the framework of criminal proceedings.
The Ministry of Defense has launched a pilot project using photo and video recording during the acceptance of rear property for the needs of the Armed Forces. This will ensure the objectivity of procedures and create an evidence base to minimize corruption risks.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed bills No. 14169 and No. 14170, which expand tax benefits for the import of defense goods and simplify customs procedures. This applies to components for drones, demining machines, and other products for the modernization and repair of weapons.
Since 2019, Ukraine has tightened responsibility for violating child transportation rules. Over 10,000 violations have been recorded in a year, despite fines of UAH 510-850.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive three million FPV drones by the end of this year, which is almost 2. 5 times more than last year. The vast majority of drones are domestically produced, and almost 15,000 ground-based robotic systems have also been supplied.
The Ministry of Defense has identified the comprehensive renovation of the military rehabilitation system as a priority area of work, which requires about UAH 8 billion. Next year, the state budget will allocate over UAH 700 million for the development of the network of military hospitals, and the NATO project "RENOVATOR" has already accumulated 80 million euros.
Ihor Zelinsky, who is being lobbied for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, blocked the operation of the Ministry of Defense's Il-76MD military transport aircraft. This decision made it impossible to use critically important aviation equipment for the logistical needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the war.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a package of decisions to strengthen the country's defense industry at the submission of the Ministry of Defense. A new experimental project is being launched for the Motor Sich enterprise, accelerating the design of new facilities and providing them with water, gas, heat, and electricity through a simplified procedure.
The "Army+" application has been updated, adding a digital ID for defenders and a "Pulse" feed. The expanded Army ID allows confirming the status of a serviceman/servicewoman via QR code, and the "Pulse" feed provides information about rights and opportunities. The application's design and navigation have also been updated.
Over a third of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel have undergone biological material sampling, with 95% of samples delivered to the Genomic Information Accounting Center. This is critically important for the rapid identification of defenders in cases of their disappearance.
Ukraine and the US conducted the first official tests of Ukrainian drones during the visit of the American delegation. Ukraine offers the United States a strategic partnership in the field of unmanned systems.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has launched the first artificial intelligence-based service for forensic examinations. It simplifies document preparation, helps choose the type of examination, and formulate questions.
In 2026, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive 200 "Bohdana" self-propelled artillery systems based on German Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis. 750 million euros have been allocated for the implementation of the program from Germany's support package of 1.2 billion euros.
The Ukrainian government has approved a package of Ministry of Defense decisions to launch the Defence City space from January 5, 2026. This will provide comprehensive state support to Ukrainian arms manufacturers for scaling up, modernizing production, and generating innovations.
The State Logistics Operator of the Ministry of Defense will for the first time purchase 150,000 DNA systems for servicemen for UAH 37. 8 million. This will allow for the identification of the deceased and missing, and the data will be stored in accordance with the law.