255 MPs Vote in Favor: Ukraine Forms Its Own Cyber Forces

The draft law on the creation of the Armed Forces Cyber Force was adopted as a basis.

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted as a basis the draft law No. 12349 on the creation of the Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, announced on his Telegram channel, noting that 255 MPs supported the decision.

“We are establishing a new military command and control body within the Armed Forces of Ukraine that will be responsible for the cyber defense of the state. The cyber forces will operate under the direct military command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and under the general leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief – the President of Ukraine,” the Minister wrote.

The main tasks of the Cyber Force are:

• protection of electronic communications systems and process control systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• preparation and conduct of military cyber operations;
• military cooperation with NATO and other partners to counter common cyber threats.

According to the Minister of Defense, the Cyber Forces will be able to engage civilian specialists.

Such persons will not acquire the status of military personnel, but will perform tasks under contract.

The draft law was developed by a working group that included specialized experts from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“The adoption of the draft law and support for the Armed Forces’ initiative to create Cyber Forces and develop effective combat capabilities in cyberspace will accelerate the implementation of changes necessary to fight the aggressor,” the General Staff stated prior to the vote.

The draft law “On the Cyber Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on December 19, 2024.

Militarnyi previously reported how the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is currently countering cyberattacks and protecting national cyberspace.