Ukraine, together with its partners, plans to manufacture one million 155-mm shells per year

Ukraine, together with its partners, is developing the capacity to produce over a million 155 mm artillery shells per year. This was announced by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov during a video conference with his EU counterparts, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Umerov stressed that Ukraine did not manufacture ammunition of this calibre in 2022. Now, with the support of international partners, the country’s defence industry is reaching a new level of quality.

During the meeting, Umerov also called on partners to prioritise purchases from the Ukrainian defence industry, particularly in the field of UAVs.

‘Ukraine is ready for large-scale joint production and supplies, both for the needs of the front line and in the future for European armies,’ he said.

Ukraine is also open to cooperation in the production of artillery systems, air defence systems and electronic warfare systems.

The main topic during the video conference was the European Union’s new defence initiative SAFE (Security Action for Europe) with a total budget of €150 billion. The defence ministry noted that it opens up the possibility for Ukraine to fully integrate into the European defence and industrial space.

A line of Ukrainian fibre-optic drones, REBOFF, has been approved for use by the Armed Forces

A line of domestic fibre-optic strike FPV drones, REBOFF, has been codified for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The drones were developed by the Ukrainian company 3DTech, which was the first domestic manufacturer to successfully complete the codification procedure for its fibre optic unmanned aerial systems.

The drones are equipped with fibre coils ranging from 10 to 20 km in length and can carry combat payloads of various weights and purposes. Depending on the modification, they have different ranges.

The Ministry of Defence noted that the development of the drones began in 2023 in response to requests from the front lines.

In 2024, the first test batches were delivered to the military and demonstrated the potential for scaling up production. Today, 3DTech manufactures five models of fibre optic drones, which are supplied to the Defence Forces.

Ukrainian Armed Forces to Receive KRAMPUS Flamethrowers to Reinforce Frontline Units

The Ministry of Defense has codified and approved the Ukrainian-made KRAMPUS mobile flamethrower strike system for use by Ukrainian Armed Forces units. The equipment is designed for assault and defense tasks.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The KRAMPUS system is compact and weight and can be placed in the back of a pickup truck, minibus, or trailer. It is equipped with two silent electric motors and a tracked chassis, which ensures high cross-country mobility – it can move off-road, through forest thickets, sand, swamps, and overcome steep slopes.

“The complex has shock-resistant control channels and operates in cold, heat, snow, and rain. The platform’s battery capacity is sufficient for several hours of continuous operation. This allows it to operate for long periods of time in standby mode,” said the Main Directorate for Life Cycle Support of Weapons and Military Equipment.

The ground-based robotic complex is equipped with video cameras and a combat module with RP-16 jet infantry flamethrowers capable of destroying enemy personnel and lightly armored vehicles.

According to the Ministry of Defense, since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Defense has codified and approved for use in the Defense Forces more than 80 ground-based robotic systems, most of which are Ukrainian-made. In 2023, the defense ministry codified nearly 10 domestically produced NRK, and last year, more than 50. Since the beginning of 2025, more than two dozen have been added.

Domestic NRK perform reconnaissance, mining and demining tasks using various methods, as well as logistics, evacuation, patrolling, and other tasks. Ground drones equipped with combat modules carry out assault and defensive operations. There are also kamikaze NRK.

KRAMPUS mobile flamethrower strike complex / Photo: Ministry of Defense

IT Coalition donates almost EUR 2 million worth of equipment to Ukraine: what’s on the list

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has received a batch of equipment from the IT Coalition, funded by Luxembourg and Iceland. Its total value amounted to almost 2 million euros.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

“With this equipment, we will increase the capacity for high-quality and reliable communication in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is very important on the front line,” said Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for Digitalization Kateryna Chernogorenko.

This time, the partners handed over to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine:

  • 3288 access points of various models;
  • 500 routers;
  • 460 charging stations with solar panels;
  • 872 phones.

It is noted that this is the third delivery from the IT Coalition in 2025. In January of this year, Estonia, the Netherlands and Luxembourg transferred equipment worth €3.3 million to Ukraine as part of the initiative, and in February – for €7.5 million.

For reference. The IT Coalition is one of the capability coalitions within the framework of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine (Ramstein format). It supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense in the areas of IT, communications and cybersecurity. The Coalition includes Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The coalition is led by Estonia and Luxembourg.

The Ministry of Defence has adopted the ‘Liut’ combat robot

The Ministry of Defence has approved the use of the Liut domestic ground robotic system, which has already been tested in combat conditions.

This was reported by the press service of the defence ministry.

‘The robot is armed with a 7.62-calibre machine gun and additional equipment that can detect and engage targets both day and night.  The NRC is quite compact – it fits in the back of a military pickup truck and is equipped with a silent electric motor. The battery capacity is sufficient for a fairly long operating time. The NRC has a fairly high ground clearance, which allows it to move steadily over terrain with difficult terrain.  ‘Lyut operates in a wide temperature range,’ the Ministry describes the product.

The operator controls the complex from a protected position without being exposed to danger. The main task of ground robots is to reinforce units and replace soldiers in the most dangerous areas.

The Ministry of Defence plans to purchase 4.5 million FPV drones in 2025

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine intends to purchase 4.5 million FPV drones in 2025, which is three times more than in 2024.

This was announced by Hlib Kanevskyi, Director of the Defence Ministry’s Procurement Policy Department.

According to him, last year the defence ministry, together with the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, purchased more than 1.5 million drones. 96% of the funds were allocated to Ukrainian manufacturers, which gave impetus to the development of the domestic UAV industry.

In 2025, the Ministry of Defence plans to purchase all 4.5 million FPV drones that the Ukrainian defence industry is capable of producing. More than 110 billion hryvnias are allocated for this purpose, of which more than 102 billion will be allocated through the Defence Procurement Agency.

Kanevsky also noted that the launch of licensed drone production at a state-owned enterprise, announced in January, will have a positive impact on competition. Control by the Ministry of Defence and minimal margins will encourage suppliers to reduce prices, which will allow for more efficient supply of drones to the frontline.

Ukraine Signs Memorandum With IRIS-T System Manufacturer: How Many More Missiles Will Be Produced for Air Defense

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has signed a memorandum of understanding with the German company Diehl Defense, which produces IRIS-T systems, an important part of Ukraine’s air defense shield.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense.

The memorandum provides for a threefold increase in the supply of missiles and air defense systems.

“The protection of Ukrainian skies and cities is our priority. The signed agreement paves the way for large industrial projects that will strengthen the capabilities of Ukrainian air defense,” said Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.

The Defense Minister emphasized the importance of the steps taken by the world’s leading defense companies to meet Ukraine.

“The free world is on our side, and together we are opening up new opportunities to strengthen our defense,” the statement said.

Young conscripts will serve only in combat brigades, – Defense Ministry

Ukrainian men aged 18 to 24 who sign a contract will serve exclusively in combat positions.

This was announced by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Dmytro Lazutkin in a telethon.

According to him, the contract soldiers will undergo 45 days of basic training, 14 days of professional training, and another 14 days of adaptation in the brigade. The total training time may be longer, depending on the specialty.

Among the positions that young soldiers can apply for are:

  • Rifleman, senior rifleman, rifleman-paramedic, rifleman-sniper;
  • assistant grenade launcher, grenade launcher, senior grenade launcher;
  • reconnaissance man, senior reconnaissance man.

The contract is for one year, of which six months will be spent performing combat missions on the contact line. They can serve in one of six brigades:

  • 72nd Brigade named after the Black Cossacks;
  • 95th Air Assault Brigade of Polissya;
  • 92nd Brigade named after Ivan Sirko;
  • 10th Edelweiss Brigade;
  • 38th separate mechanized brigade “Cerberus”;
  • 28th Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign.

On February 11, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine presented the details of the contract for volunteers aged 18-24.

The Ministry of Defense launches a new system of military accounting

Ukraine is launching a new system for keeping track of military personnel, called Impulse. The development should greatly simplify the work of commanders and military units, Deputy Minister of Defense for Digitalization Kateryna Chernogorenko said in an interview with Militarny.

The main goal of Impulse is to create a comprehensive database for each serviceman. It will include information on rank, specialty, awards, certificates, assigned property and other important data.

Commanders will be able to receive real-time updates on their units, including the number of personnel, the presence of soldiers on the ground or on a business trip, and the history of appointments.

In addition, the Impulse system will be integrated with the material service, which will allow for effective tracking of property assigned to each soldier. An important part of the system will also be a moral and psychological support module that will allow for better assessment of the state of personnel.

Overall, the Impulse system is aimed at optimizing and simplifying management processes in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Umerov Announces Start of Work at Ramstein Meeting in Brussels: Key Topics on the Agenda

Today, on February 12, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov started his work at the meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in the Ramstein format in Brussels. Umerov noted that this stage is important for strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and coordinating further actions of the allies.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

For the first time, the meeting was chaired by the UK Secretary of State for Defense John Healey. The new US Secretary of Defense Pete Hagel is also participating.

On the agenda:

  • Stable and timely supply of military assistance to Ukraine in 2025;
  • accelerating the supply of critical weapons – air defense, aircraft, ammunition;
  • investments in the defense industry in Ukraine and joint projects with European partners.

According to Umerov, not only current needs will be discussed, but also long-term solutions to

  • expansion of defense production in Ukraine;
  • financing of the Ukrainian defense industry and creation of new enterprises;
  • increasing the volume of arms supplies at the expense of the European defense industry.

In addition to the Ramstein, this week’s events will include a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of defense ministers and the Munich Security Conference. Umerov announced that bilateral meetings with allied defense ministers are planned.

“Ukraine is ready for negotiations to end the war. But a just and lasting peace is possible only when Ukraine is strong on the battlefield,” Umerov summarized.

Rustem Umerov met with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram / Photo: t.me/umerov_mo

The Ministry of Defense discloses details of the new contract for Ukrainians aged 18-24

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially launched the “Contract 18-24” project, which provides for the possibility of voluntary service in the Defense Forces for citizens aged 18 to 24 for a period of one year.

“The project opens up new opportunities for volunteers aged 18-24: decent financial remuneration, professional combat training in accordance with NATO standards, and social guarantees that no other civilian profession provides,” the ministry said.

Volunteers will receive financial support: UAH 1,000,000 under the contract (UAH 200,000 immediately, the rest during service), a monthly allowance of up to UAH 120,000, the possibility of a zero mortgage, free training, medical care and the right to travel abroad after the end of the contract.

After a year of service, program participants will be exempt from mobilization for 12 months.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized that the initiative is completely voluntary and provides young people with the opportunity to gain combat experience, financial stability and competitive prospects. 

“We are creating conditions in which service becomes prestigious and competitive. Ukrainians who join the Defense Forces will receive everything they need: the best training, high salaries, social guarantees and career opportunities,” added Umerov. 

You can apply online at 18-24.army.gov.ua or via the Reserve+ app with the next update. The next step is to consult with a recruiter, sign a contract and undergo training.

Ukraine to create a testing ground for new demining technologies using AI

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is studying the possibility of creating a test site for testing modern demining technologies, including those using artificial intelligence.

According to the ministry’s press service, the initiative of the Main Directorate of Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety was discussed during a working meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Economy, the State Emergency Service, the United Nations Development Program and other agencies.

“Such a training ground can become a unique platform for research, testing and training,” said Olha Drobot, a representative of the National Mine Action Authority’s secretariat.

It is expected that the latest technologies will speed up the survey of territories, increase the safety of deminers and reduce the risks to the civilian population.

In addition, the parties discussed new approaches to analyzing satellite and aerial imagery for mapping mined areas, as well as the use of neural networks for automatic minefield recognition and the integration of modern artificial intelligence algorithms into planning and safe demining processes.

The Ministry of Defense has updated the basic military training program

The Ministry of Defense has presented an updated basic military training program (BMTP), which provides for enhanced physical and psychological training of recruits.

This was reported by the press service of the defense ministry.

Among the key innovations of the updated program are the following:

  • The so-called “zero day”/“reset” day (adaptation of civilians to the military environment) was introduced;
  • Increased content of psychological training;
  • studying the Kropyva software;
  • expanded the course on first aid;
  • “marching” training (physical training) was added to build the endurance of the military.

The curriculum includes advanced shooting exercises with individual weapons at short distances (fighting in direct contact with the enemy up to 100 meters) and at speed, for which additional ammunition is provided.

The program also provides for training in psychological resilience of military personnel by watching virtual reality films “First Battle.”

According to Deputy Defense Minister Serhiy Melnyk, the updated course removes outdated elements and focuses on critical skills for the modern battlefield.

The total duration of the training will remain unchanged – 1.5 months, of which 41 days are allocated for classes, 6 for rest and 1 for administrative issues. The total amount of training is 372 training hours.

The Ministry of Defense told what specialties are chosen by women who join the Defense Forces through recruitment

Since the start of the Ukrainian army’s recruitment centers, more than 36,000 citizens have received consultations. Among them, 8,053 people became candidates for the Defense Forces – 20% of them are women.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The highest percentage of female candidates was recorded in Chernivtsi (46%), Khmelnytsky (42%) and Ternopil (38%) regions.

Women hold a variety of positions in the army, from staff to medical and combat positions, including in the field of UAVs. According to Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhiy Melnyk, this confirms that the army provides equal opportunities for all those who wish to join the defense of the country.

Distribution by groups of military specialties among women who joined the Defense Forces through the recruitment centers of the Ukrainian army as of January 25, 2025:

  • staff positions – 24%
  • Combat medics, nurses, doctors – 22%.
  • specialties related to UAVs – 13%
  • cooks – 12%
  • shooting specialties – 6%
  • communications and cybersecurity – 6%.

Currently, there are 48 recruitment centers in Ukraine that provide only consultations without issuing subpoenas, and all information is kept confidential.

Defense Procurement Agency gets new head

Arsen Zhumadilov, who previously headed the State Operator of the Logistics, has been appointed head of the Defense Procurement Agency, replacing Maryna Bezrukova. 

Information about this appeared in the register on the Youcontrol website.

Head of the Defense Ministry’s Resource Support Agency Arsen Zhumadilov / Photo: Facebook of Arsen Zhumadilov

Arsen Zhumadilov is a Crimean Tatar public and political figure, born in 1985 in Simferopol. He has three degrees, including graduations from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the London School of Economics. 

He has worked as a senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and has also worked in the corporate sector in Ukraine and abroad.

After the annexation of Crimea, he moved with his family to mainland Ukraine, while his father and brother remained on the peninsula.


On January 24, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announces personnel changes at the Defense Procurement Agency due to “failed work.” Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov was dismissed, and it was decided not to extend the contract of Maryna Bezrukova.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are introducing an electronic medical record

The Armed Forces of Ukraine will replace the paper “Form 100” with an electronic Primary Health Record.

The decision was approved by the order of the Ministry of Defense No. 879, the press service of the defense ministry reports.

The new form will be maintained electronically through the Armed Forces Medical Information System. This will allow for effective registration of combat injuries and the formation of a database for evidence-based medicine, which is necessary to create treatment protocols in accordance with NATO standards.

“This is an important step that creates an opportunity to collect and analyze medical data, which will be used to make decisions on improving the provision of medical care at the pre-hospital stage,” commented Nikita Nikitenko, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, who oversees the healthcare sector in the ministry.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov instructed to ensure the introduction of an electronic primary medical record within three months of the order’s entry into force.

Within the same timeframe, the technical ability to maintain this card using the Armed Forces Medical Information System should be ensured.

The Ministry of Defense told how many people applied to the recruitment centers of the Armed Forces

Since the start of the Ukrainian Army recruitment centers, 32,736 citizens have received consultations, of whom 7,329 have become candidates for service in the Defense Forces.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense.

Last week, 717 Ukrainians applied to the recruiting centers to find out more about the conditions of enlistment. According to Deputy Defense Minister Serhiy Melnyk, more than 10,000 vacancies are currently available in various military formations, allowing everyone to choose a specialty according to their skills.

As of January 2025, there are 47 recruiting centers in Ukraine. Residents of Dnipropetrovska, Kharkivska, Lvivska, Zaporizka oblasts and Kyivska oblast were the most active in joining the campaign.


The Ministry of Defense launched the recruitment project in November 2023. It allows a person to choose a specific unit and position where their civilian experience will be most useful.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine introduces a digital system of commanders’ efficiency

The government has passed a resolution allowing commanders to submit reports on enemy hits through the “Army+” app. This innovation introduces a digital rating of commanders’ combat effectiveness.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov noted that the “Hit Report” project is aimed at digitalizing and streamlining reporting on combat operations.

At the first stage, units of the Armed Forces and the National Guard will be able to submit daily reports to the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The information will be synchronized between the “Army+” app and the “DELTA” system, which will ensure the objectivity and transparency of the data.

“As part of the pilot project, it will be possible to submit injury reports in individual units. In case of a successful outcome, we plan to extend the project to all units of the Defense Forces,” Umerov said.

Submitting reports will be simple and take only a few minutes, the Defense Ministry promises.

“We will create a large unified dashboard of enemy destruction. It will help analyze the performance of units and the army as a whole,” explained Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chernogorenko.

In addition to assessing performance, the reports will allow analyzing the quality of equipment and ammunition, as well as setting priorities for their production and supply.

Ministry of Defense promises to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Land Forces Command

The Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine will begin a detailed analysis of the work of the Land Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It will be used as a basis for reforming and strengthening the combat capability of the units.

This was announced by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

“Events in the Land Forces directly affect the situation at the front. That is why I support the need for the new commander of the Armed Forces, Major General Mykhailo Drapaty, to have a complete picture of the situation,” Umerov said.

The inspection will be conducted during the work:

  • Analysis of the organizational structure and powers
  • Assessment of the effectiveness of management processes
  • Checking for compliance with the law.

Based on the results of the inspection:

  • Implement reforms in the management system and HR policy in CSR
  • Optimize management processes
  • Enhance the combat capability of units with new approaches to training.

The Ukrainian Ground Forces is the largest and most strategically important branch of the Armed Forces. It is responsible for the mobilization, training, manning and effectiveness of combat units.

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