Basic military training to start in Ukrainian higher education institutions in September 2025
The course will consist of 90 academic hours of theory study and 210 academic hours of practical training.
Defense Ministry
Russian FSB officer found dead in Moscow Defense Ministry building, media reports
Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) counterintelligence officer Vladimir Feshchenko was found dead in a Russian Defense Ministry building in Moscow, Russian state-owned outlet RIA Novosti reported on Jan. 14.
Ukraine opens doors to foreign firms for military equipment modernization
Ukraine's government has approved a measure allowing foreign companies to participate in modernizing military equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Defense Ministry announced on Jan. 13.
Ukraine's Legion in Poland has received 1,300 applications; first women join the unit
The ministry announced on Jan. 10 that the second group of volunteers had already signed contracts in Lublin to join the unit. For the first time, the recruits included women who applied for medical and communications roles.
Umerov appoints ex-Infrastructure Minister Kubrakov as his advisor to tackle logistics
Oleksandr Kubrakov's "experience as the deputy prime minister, the infrastructure minister, and head of Ukravtodor is important and will help improve the supply and logistics in the Armed Forces," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine secures over $156 million for defense industry from European allies, defense minister says
The funds will support the production of long-range drones, missiles, and artillery, which are critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy.
Ukrainian drones made up over 96% of UAVs military used in 2024, defense minister says
The domestic drone industry "reached unprecedented production volumes" in 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Dec. 28.
Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military use
The Shchedryk unmanned aerial vehicle has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can be tasked with monitoring the actions of Russian troops on the battlefield, the Defense Minitsry said.
Kyiv to simplify procurement of drones, electronic warfare equipment
"From now on, the military will be able to plan their needs more effectively, and manufacturers will be able to focus on technological development and scaling up production," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Updated: Defense Ministry to investigate alleged abuse of service members in engineering brigade
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Dec. 16 ordered an investigation into the alleged abuse, extortion, and humiliation of soldiers in the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade by their commanders.
Deputy defense minister outlines military, financial plans for 2025 with Baltic, Nordic Allies
Defense Minister Serhii Boiev held talks with representatives of the foreign ministries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden to outline plans for military and financial assistance to Ukraine in 2025, the Defense Ministry reported on its website on Nov. 14.
Ukraine approves Droid TW robotics system for combat operation
The system was approved after performing reliably in combat testing, the Defense Ministry said on Dec. 9.
Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-drone enters serial production, minister says
"A new start-up implemented the Palianytsa missile project, which has already entered serial production thanks to the support of the Defense Ministry," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote in a piece published by the LB.UA outlet.
Russia loses almost 46,000 troops, over $3 billion worth of military equipment in November, Defense Ministry says
In November, the Russian military lost 2,030 soldiers in one day, which is the highest rate of Russian losses in a day since Feb. 24, 2022.
Defense Ministry introduces military medical commissions reforms to be implemented by fall of 2025
Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Melnyk said that the principles of the commissions' work "have not changed for decades," and the current system is "a vestige of the old administrative approach."
Ukraine withdraws over 20,000 mortar shells due to malfunction
Out of 54,000 120 mm mortar shells suspected of having defects, about 24,000 are to be withdrawn, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said on Nov. 28.
Ukraine approves homemade Oncilla-Shturm armored personnel carrier for military use
"The domestic Oncilla-Shturm armored vehicle demonstrates Ukraine's progress in creating equipment that meets the modern needs of the battlefield," Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said.
Ukraine reportedly withdrawing 100,000 mortar shells amid faulty ammunition probe
The statement comes amid mounting complaints and videos shared on social media that show the mortar shells not exploding or failing to hit their targets.
Ministry: Lithuania to fund production of Ukrainian long-range drones
The long-term agreement between Ukraine and Lithuania includes an initial tranche of 10 million euros which has already been agreed upon and focuses particularly on Ukraine's Palianytsia missile-like drones.
Defense Ministry pledges to draft bill on demobilization by Dec. 18, official says
It is not yet clear what conditions the Defense Ministry will propose for discharging military personnel from service, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee Roman Kostenko said.
Estonia to provide Ukraine with air defense missiles for testing
The missiles to be trialed by Ukraine are designed to counter drones, and can shoot down targets at an altitude of up to 2 kilometers.
Sweden unveils new aid package for Ukraine worth over $9 million
Sweden will provide Ukraine with a new aid package valued at nine million euros ($9.8 million), which includes two vessels designed to enhance maritime security. The country will also supply 40,000 protective masks and respirators to Ukraine's Emergency Service personnel.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry's chief inspector fired
The Main Inspectorate of the Defense Ministry audits the ministry's activities, including monitoring the quality of military training and staffing, overseeing military aviation safety, and conducting technical investigations, among other functions.
Zelensky denies potential dismissal of defense minister, head of military intelligence
"I wasn't going to do that. I was not going to replace Budanov. This information was circulating, yes. There was no such question about Umerov either," Zelensky said during a meeting with journalists.
Estonia considering buying defense equipment from Ukraine, official says
"We need to understand here that this can only be done in such a way that if we buy, then Ukraine gets more money. And they will be able to produce more for their army," Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.
Ukraine sets up supervisory boards for lethal and non-lethal procurement agencies, Defense Minister says
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov planned to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Rear Operator (DOT) into one agency but changed his mind after a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards should be established.
Ukrainian Armor to produce 155mm shells using Czechoslovak Group's technology, components
Ukrainian Armor, a private defense enterprise, signed two deals on Oct. 2 with the Czech holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG) to cooperate on the production of 155mm shells, Ukrainian media outlet Militarnyi reported.
Ukraine's defense procurement agencies should be kept separate, NATO reaffirms
The NATO statement came days after Umerov said the ministry was planning to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Rear Operator (DOT) into one agency.
Ukrainian commanders to be able to directly select volunteer fighters, defense minister announces
Commanders of Ukrainian military units will now be able to directly select soldiers who enlist voluntarily, bypassing the standard process of involving enlistment offices, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Oct. 1.
Ukraine's defense minister requests dismissal of 3 deputies, state secretary
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov called the system of the Defense Ministry, including the Armed Forces, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), and State Transport Special Service "a closed perimeter" during martial law, without giving a clear reason for the reshuffle.
Ukraine approves new domestic-made all-terrain amphibious vehicle Takha
The vehicle developed by Ukrainian engineers is already being used at the front line for evacuation, as well as for transportation of ammunition and food, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry.
Ukraine approves domestic-made Black Widow bomber drone for military use
Made in a single-use format, the drone can carry a heavy explosive charge. The relatively low price of the Black Widow allows it to be used as a first-person-view (FPV) attack drone, the ministry said.
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