Ukraine's deputy defense minister for digital affairs steps down

Ukraine’s deputy defense minister for digital development, Kateryna Chernohorenko, said on Wednesday that she is stepping down after nearly two years in office. Her resignation comes amid a broader government reshuffle and political upheaval over a new law that critics say undermines the country’s anti-corruption system.

Chernohorenko did not say why she is leaving the ministry. Her spokesperson told Recorded Future News she will not comment until her resignation is official. Local media previously reported that she stepped down for unspecified “political” reasons.

Chernohorenko, 39, oversaw the digitization of Ukraine’s armed forces and defense ministry. She led a team of more than 400 specialists focused on projects such as improving Delta — a battlefield coordination system that provides troops with real-time visibility and enables rapid information sharing. She said Delta helps destroy more than 2,000 targets daily, thanks in part to artificial intelligence that can identify enemy positions on video within seconds.

Chernohorenko also helped develop the Reserve+ app, which serves as an electronic military ID, and Army+, a platform that allows soldiers to file reports online and take training courses on topics ranging from drone operation to countering Russian disinformation.

Her team also worked to strengthen the cybersecurity of the defense ministry — one of the most frequently targeted Ukrainian government agencies. Under Chernohorenko’s leadership, the ministry launched a cyber incident response center that identified and analyzed more than 5,000 cyberattacks over the past year. She previously told Recorded Future News that establishing the center was one of her key goals when she took the position in 2023.

Digitizing government agencies and the military has made them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. A Russia-linked hack on Ukraine’s state registries in December disrupted the Reserve+ system, halting military draft deferments. Pro-Moscow hackers also claimed — without providing evidence — that they had leaked and sold app data on the dark web.

Her colleague Valery Churkin, the army’s deputy for innovation, is also reportedly stepping down and will likely be replaced by Yury Myronenko, the former head of one of Ukraine’s leading cybersecurity agencies, the SSSCIP. Churkin has not yet commented on his potential resignation.

According to sources cited by Forbes Ukraine, the role of deputy defense minister for digital affairs could go to Oksana Ferchuk, an adviser to the defense minister on logistics and IT.

Chernohorenko’s departure comes as part of a wider shakeup in Ukraine’s leadership, including the replacement of both the prime minister and the defense minister. 

The government is facing a wave of public backlash over a newly signed bill that critics say weakens the independence of key anti-corruption bodies. Since Tuesday, thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets to protest the law, warning it could threaten democratic reforms and slow down the country’s bid to join the European Union.