In 2025, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine fully met the army's needs for ground robotic systems, exceeding planned supply targets. Military units received 62 GRS through the DOT-Chain Defence digital platform.
Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko believes that the personnel changes initiated by President Zelenskyy are aimed at renewing power, strengthening the defense sector, and demonstrating his key role. The appointments of Budanov and Fedorov are aimed at forming a new defense strategy and technologizing production.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has approved the use of over 1,300 new Ukrainian-made weapons and military equipment in 2025, a quarter more than last year. This includes over 550 unmanned aerial systems and over 270 types of ammunition.
Serhiy Deineko, head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, has been appointed advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko. After rehabilitation, he will lead a combat unit of the State Border Guard Service.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a "major reboot" of the state system, including rotations of heads of the security, defense, and law enforcement sectors. The replacement of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, is not foreseen.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with national security advisors of the member states of the Coalition of the Willing. Security guarantees, reconstruction, and a basic framework for real peace, as well as the sequence of further meetings, were discussed.
Personnel changes are ongoing in Ukraine at the level of regional administrations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced consultations regarding the appointment of new heads in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Ternopil, and Chernivtsi regions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed appointing Denys Shmyhal as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine. He thanked Shmyhal for his work at the Ministry of Defense and emphasized the importance of systematic approach for Ukrainian energy.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has attracted over $6 billion for the development of the domestic defense-industrial complex in 2025. These funds came through international programs, direct purchases by partners, and profits from frozen Russian assets.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a change in the format of the Ministry of Defense's work, proposing Mykhailo Fedorov to head it. Denys Shmyhal remains in the team; he has been offered another important area of state work.
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.
Ukraine has strengthened its air defense by receiving two more Patriot systems thanks to agreements with Germany. These systems are capable of destroying aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including hypersonic ones, at a distance of up to 160 km and an altitude of up to 24 km.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided on a candidate for the position of Head of the Presidential Office. Information about the new head of the Presidential Office will be announced later, and changes in the heads of regional administrations will take place at the beginning of the year.
The first critical infrastructure operators in the energy and defense industries have already installed electronic warfare equipment to protect their facilities. The Ministry of Defense is implementing this initiative by decision of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
Six banks have signed a consortium loan agreement for UAH 21. 5 billion for a period of three years under state guarantees. The funds will be directed to the production of military goods.
Frontline Robotics and German Quantum Systems are scaling up production of the Lens drone for tactical reconnaissance and target destruction. This bomber drone can carry up to 2 kg of payload over 10 km and is equipped with a gyro-stabilized camera.
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.
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 Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the creation of a single electronic database of manufacturers and suppliers of goods, works, and services for defense purposes. This Register minimizes corruption and security risks, making competition fair in the defense industry.
Portugal will allocate 25 million euros annually for five years to purchase Ukrainian defense products as part of the SAFE initiative. The Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Portugal discussed further cooperation and Ukraine's critical needs.
The Minister of Defense heard a report on the construction of fortifications in six regions. 2,130 platoon strongholds and over 3,000 km of anti-tank ditches have already been built.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, 255 km of non-explosive barrier strips, 340 km of anti-tank ditches, and over 2. 1 km of the "Egoza" barrier line have been built. Major General Oleksandr Yakovets reported to Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal on the high pace of fortification construction.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has started testing the digital system "Property" for accounting for military property in units. This will simplify the work of supply services and allow for faster and more transparent resource management.
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.
Germany has completed the transfer of two Patriot air defense systems and the ninth IRIS-T system to Ukraine, strengthening the protection of the Ukrainian sky. The total amount of German aid to Ukraine next year will reach 11.5 billion euros, which is a new record.
Today, the 32nd meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the "Ramstein" format will take place. Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal will inform the allies about the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine's needs.
The Ministry of Defense plans to allocate 12 billion hryvnias for the purchase of drones and other military equipment through the electronic marketplace DOT-Chain Defence in the first quarter of 2026. Currently, 186 combat brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the Azov and Khartia corps brigades, have access to the system.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that it is easier to liquidate the Office of the President than to appoint its head, referring to the large number of proposals and exchanges of views. He noted that the war is much more important than this issue.
