President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Brigadier General Oleksiy Kovalenko as Commander of the Signals and Cyber Security Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Decree No. 931/2026 of 15 September 2026 was published on the President’s website. Prior to this, Kovalenko headed the Heroes of Kruty Military Institute of Telecommunications and Informatisation, which trains specialists in communications and digital technologies.
Briefly about the main points
- Kovalenko has been appointed head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Signals and Cyber Security Corps.
- The President signed a decree on the appointment on 15 September 2026.
- The brigadier general had previously been in charge of a specialist military institute.
- The armed forces provide communications, information systems and information security.
- Future priorities will be determined by the decisions of the military leadership and the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Decree on the Establishment and Functions of the Signals Corps
The presidential decree formalises the appointment Kovalenko for the post of Commander of the Signals and Cyber Security Forces. The post is classified as a senior officer position; the regulations stipulate that the maximum rank for this post is Major General or Rear Admiral.
The Signals and Cyber Security Corps ensure the operation of military communications systems and information systems, as well as the protection of the information required for command and control The Armed Forces. In the event of a full-scale war, these tasks also include the protection of military information and telecommunications systems and countering cyber threats.
The Signals and Cyber Security Forces should not be equated with the Main Directorate for Signals and Cyber Security of the General Staff: official documents define them as distinct elements of the military command system. The new commander’s future priorities and specific tasks will depend on the decisions of the military leadership and the current needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Experience in training specialists in communications and cyber security
Before taking up his command post, Kovalenko was head of the Heroes of Kruty Military Institute of Telecommunications and Informatisation. Documents Ministry of Defence This is confirmed by his title and his role as head of the institution.
The Institute trains military signals officers, cyber specialists and information technology specialists. The areas of study include cyber defence and cyber warfare, military communications systems, and information and automated systems for the command and control of troops and weaponry.
In June 2025, whilst representing the institute, Kovalenko emphasised the need to train military specialists capable of working with modern technologies.
