Mobilized IT specialists can receive officer ranks and serve in their specialty — Ministry of Defense
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Decree No. 214/2026, enabling military personnel with IT expertise to obtain officer ranks and serve in positions dedicated to the army’s digital transformation, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported. Under the new regulations, mobilized or conscripted service members selected for digital transformation roles can be granted the initial officer rank of junior lieutenant. The decision is made by the Minister of Defense following a recommendation from the Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitization.
The selection process for these IT positions involves two stages. First, commanders within military units conduct an initial screening of mobilized personnel. Second, the Ministry of Defense performs a document verification and, if necessary, an interview with the Directorate of Digital Transformation. Once a candidate successfully passes the selection, they are commissioned as a junior lieutenant and officially appointed to an IT-related role.
These new norms are designed to systematically integrate individuals with experience in IT, engineering, and technology into the Defense Forces. This initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s technological advantage on the battlefield by deploying digital solutions directly within military units. The Ministry of Defense has already begun rolling out an "IT vertical"—a network of digital transformation specialists operating at every level, from individual battalions to the General Staff. These specialists are tasked with implementing digital systems, gathering feedback from soldiers, and identifying the need for new technological tools.
The ultimate goal is to create a managed system of digital transformation that allows for the rapid launch of new services and technologies for the military. Public vacancies for these specialized roles are expected to be announced shortly, allowing qualified personnel within the ranks to apply for these technical positions.
