New tasks of the Ministry of Digital: from robotics to military innovations
On April 8, 2025, changes were made to the Regulation on the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, which determined the department's new priorities. In particular, the Ministry of Digital will provide the security and defense sector with modern robotics, unmanned systems, and other innovative technologies, including dual-purpose and military technologies.
Also, the ministry will now be responsible for forming state policy in the field of defense: it will develop proposals for the introduction of advanced technologies, determine priority areas of development, and create relevant state programs.
The expansion of the powers of the Ministry of Digital Affairs is connected with the growing role of technology in modern weapons and is part of the modernization of the material and technical base of the defense sector.
The Cabinet of Ministers is expanding military service opportunities for young people
From April 8, 2025 entered into force changes to the Procedure for the implementation of an experimental project aimed at increasing the motivation of citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 25 before military service, which provide for the following:
- Expansion of the list of military formations – conscripts can now serve in additional formations of the National Guard and the State Border Service;
- Clarification of combat tasks – the changes clearly define that servicemen can perform combat tasks in high-risk zones, in particular in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in intermediate zones between the positions of the defense forces and the enemy, as well as, in certain cases, on the territory of the aggressor state;
- Enhanced medical examination – a mandatory psychiatric assessment has been added to the medical examination for contract service.
- The updated contract for military service of persons aged 18-25 has been revised to take into account the specified changes.
These reforms aim to increase the attractiveness of military service for young people by providing a wider choice of places and forms of service, and the involvement of such prestigious formations as the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service can increase the number of volunteers, strengthening the country's defense capabilities. Emphasis on psychiatric evaluation will help better prepare recruits for the psychological challenges of war, which can reduce stress disorders and improve unit cohesion. The refinement of combat missions reflects a strategic adaptation to current defense needs, especially in conflict zones.
SBU and intelligence agencies of Ukraine in the new reservation system: key changes
April 16, 2025, entered into force new Procedure for booking conscripts who are on military registration in the Security Service, intelligence agencies of Ukraine, for the period of mobilization and for wartime. Reservation of conscripts is carried out according to the decision of the Ministry of Economy, regardless of military rank, age, and military accounting specialty, according to the following algorithm:
- Heads of state bodies, critically important enterprises, institutions, specialized organizations, or operators of mine countermeasures submit lists of conscripts in paper or electronic form along with justification to the Security Service of Ukraine or intelligence agencies.
- The SBU or intelligence agencies review the lists within five working days and submit the agreed lists to the Ministry of Economy.
- The Ministry of Economy decides on the reservation within five working days and sends it to the SBU or intelligence agencies.
- The SBU or intelligence agencies transfer extracts from the Ministry of Economy's decision to the relevant organizations within three working days.
- Organizations issue excerpts from the decision of the Ministry of Economy to military conscripts against a receipt in the information on the issuance of special military registration forms.
The new unified algorithm is designed to reduce the time for processing applications, which will allow for faster booking of key employees. Clearly defined deadlines and requirements for documents will help reduce corruption risks and increase control in the field of accounting for conscripts.
Updated rules for recruiting foreigners and stateless persons for military service under a contract
April 17, 2025, abrogated Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated April 15, 2025, No. 442, which makes changes to the procedure for attracting foreigners and stateless persons to military service in the Armed Forces.
According to the document, the territorial recruitment and social support centers (TCC and SP) and the recruiting centers of the Armed Forces were authorized to consider applications from foreigners and stateless persons to enter contract service. They will conduct initial checks and interviews, providing conclusions on the feasibility of further consideration of candidates or refusal of admission to the Center for the Recruiting of Foreigners and Stateless Persons under the Ministry of Defense.
Transportation of candidates from abroad, as well as their food and accommodation, will be financed from the state budget, as well as from other sources not prohibited by law. The Center for Recruiting Foreigners under the Ministry of Defense will be responsible for organizing these processes.
To speed up the procedures, services for transportation, food, and accommodation of candidates can be procured under direct contracts without competitive procedures.
These changes are aimed at attracting a greater number of foreigners to the Defense Forces of Ukraine, which will contribute to increasing the state's defense capability through effective work with the personnel potential.
State guarantee of the quality of defense goods, works, and services: new rules from the Government
On April 15, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 452, which approves the Procedure for conducting work on the state guarantee of the quality of defense goods, works, and services.
The specified government resolution establishes a mechanism for organizing and conducting state guarantee work aimed at ensuring the quality and timeliness of the execution of the state defense order for goods purchased from domestic business entities to meet the needs of the security and defense sector and business entities of partner states during the implementation of foreign economic contracts.
The main provisions include:
- Definition of procedures – clear stages of quality control of products, works and services performed within the framework of a defense order.
- The parties' responsibility is the division of responsibilities between customers, executors, and control bodies to ensure compliance with standards.
- Technical supervision – introduction of a system of inspections at all stages of production and supply of defense products.
- Documentation – requirements for reporting and recording the results of inspections to increase transparency.
These innovations are an important step in strengthening the defense potential of Ukraine, which provides a systematic approach to the implementation of the state defense order, as they introduce control mechanisms for checking the quality of products supplied to the Armed Forces. And also establish rules and transparent procedures that will contribute to the responsible execution of contracts by enterprises of the defense-industrial complex.