Parlamentoircraft Retention and Ukrainian Space Forces
On 9 November, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada supported the bill creating Space Forces within the Armed Forces of Ukraine in first reading, with 252 MPs voting in favour. The proposal includes an early-warning system for enemy missile launches, countermeasure development and a protected national satellite communications system.
Pontos principais
- The bill creating Ukrainian Space Forces was supported in first reading on 9 November 2026.
- 252 MPs voted for the bill; final adoption requires a second reading.
- The proposal covers early warning of enemy missile launches and countermeasures.
- It provides for a national protected satellite communications system for security and defence.
- The bill was registered in May 2025.
- 254 MPs backed shortening preparations for the second reading.
- Ukraine has conducted at least three tests of systems for intercepting missiles in near space.
Porque é importante
The bill would formally create a new branch of the Armed Forces focused on space capabilities. It is intended to improve Ukraine’s ability to detect enemy missile launches, develop countermeasures, maintain protected satellite communications and respond to attacks involving the international space domain.
O que aconteceu
On 9 November 2026, the Verkhovna Rada supported bill No. 13255 in first reading, with 252 MPs voting in favour. The proposal would establish Space Forces within the Armed Forces of Ukraine and develop organisational, legal, institutional and military-technical capabilities for countering aggression from space. It includes creating an early-warning system for enemy missile launches, developing countermeasures and forming a national protected satellite communications system for the security and defence sector. The bill has not yet been finally adopted and must pass a second reading. MPs also voted 254 to 0 to shorten the preparations for that stage. After adoption, the next steps are expected to include approving regulatory acts at the level of the Commander-in-Chief and appointing the Space Forces command.
Como o descrevem as fontes ucranianas
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the parliamentary vote count, the proposed defensive capabilities and the institutional steps required after adoption. The initiative is presented as a long-planned branch of the Armed Forces, supported by Ukraine’s existing space infrastructure, international cooperation and emerging domestic satellite projects. The report also notes that the previous government programme’s deadline of 31 December 2025 for creating Space Forces was missed.
Como o descrevem as fontes internacionais
The bill’s explanatory note cites Russia’s use of the Oreshnik missile to strike Ukrainian territory through international space as an argument for creating Space Forces. It notes that the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Iran and Russia have their own space forces. Ukraine already cooperates on space projects with Luxembourg, Poland, Czechia and Sweden and participates in the international Artemis programme.
Contexto
Ukraine’s existing space capabilities include satellite imagery, space situational awareness tools and optical-electronic, radar-imaging and radio-technical reconnaissance services supplied by state and private companies, including NGA, SAG-U and Maxar. The country has ground-based space infrastructure and specialist institutions such as the National Centre for Management and Testing of Space Assets. The Ministry of Defence has established a space policy unit responsible for auditing space infrastructure, preparing regulations, launching defence satellites and integrating space systems into military technologies. Ukrainian company Himera and Danish company GomSpace launched the Obria nano test spacecraft into Earth orbit in late October; it is expected to form the basis of an autonomous Ukrainian network of about 245 satellites.