Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has established a Space Policy Directorate, a move unveiled during the International Forum Space for Ukraine. The new body aims to bring together domestic and international expertise to drive forward the country’s military space capabilities.
Deputy Minister of Defence Kateryna Chernohorenko noted that Ukraine has gained invaluable experience in the space sector from its partners over the years of full-scale war. At the same time, Ukrainian scientists have spent decades developing cutting-edge space technologies. Now, with this foundation in place, the focus will shift to expanding capabilities that will bolster the country’s Defence Forces. Among the directorate’s key priorities are satellite communications, space-based intelligence, and the development of an early warning system for missile threats.
“The first priority is satellite communication,” a Ministry of Defence official stressed. “Without it, commanding troops would be impossible, and military technologies could not evolve. The second is intelligence—tracking enemy movements, mapping their logistical chains, identifying weak points, force composition, and troop concentrations. It’s about planning, forecasting their next moves, and ensuring we stay ahead, ready to strike with greater precision.”
A third critical task for the Space Policy Directorate is developing an early warning system for missile threats.
“Every night, the Russian Federation terrorises our civilian population,” Chernohorenko said. “We must do everything possible to establish an early warning system for missile attacks. This is a crucial element in developing this sector—it will protect Ukraine, our troops on the battlefield, and our civilians, including children, from the dangers of missile strikes.”
In its early stages, the Ministry of Defence Directorate will focus on laying the groundwork for Ukraine’s military space ambitions. This will involve establishing a regulatory framework, identifying the most relevant space technologies, and acting as the central hub for engagement with key stakeholders—developers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and international partners. Over the first two years, the Space Policy Directorate plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of Ukraine’s space infrastructure to assess critical needs. At the same time, it will draft strategic documents to chart the sector’s long-term development.
The next phase will focus on the production of domestically developed satellites and space situational awareness systems, integrating them into Ukraine’s defence technologies. Ultimately, the goal is to build a fully-fledged space defence segment—a satellite constellation capable of delivering real-time intelligence and positioning Ukraine within broader global security initiatives.
