--- title: "Zelensky Appoints Brigadier General Kovalenko as Commander of the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops" description: "Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree appointing Brigadier General Oleksiy Kovalenko as Commander of the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops. Prior to this, he had been serving as acting commander since 2023." date: 2026-09-15T18:02:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kovalenko-appointed-commander-communications-cybersecurity-troops-afu tags: [ukraine, military, cybersecurity, afu, zelensky, appointment] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelensky Appoints Brigadier General Kovalenko as Commander of the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops ![Brigadier General Kovalenko in Ukrainian military uniform speaking at a microphone, appointed by Zelensky to command the Forces of Communications and Cybersecurity](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/16/kovalenko-naznachen-komanduyushchim-voysk-svyazi-i-kiberbezopasnosti-vsu/kovalenko-naznachen-komanduyushchim-voysk-svyazi-i-kiberbezopasnosti-vsu-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - On September 15, 2026, Zelensky signed Decree No. 931/2026 appointing Brigadier General Oleksiy Kovalenko as Commander of the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops. - Kovalenko had been serving as acting commander of this branch since 2023 and is the head of the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Informatization named after the Heroes of Kruty. - The appointment was part of a series of personnel changes: on September 14 the commander of the Medical Forces was appointed, and on September 2 the commander of the Ground Forces was appointed. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree appointing a new commander of one of the army's key branches. According to Decree No. 931/2026, published on the official website of the head of state, on September 15, 2026, the post of Commander of the Communications and Cybersecurity Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was taken up by Brigadier General Oleksiy Oleksandrovych Kovalenko. Ukrainian media reported on the document, citing the presidential decree. ### Who Is Oleksiy Kovalenko The new commander is no stranger to the service: since 2023 he has effectively led the Communications and Cybersecurity Troops, serving as acting commander. Thus, the decree of September 15 formalized the position that Kovalenko had been holding on a temporary basis for several years. According to available data, the serviceman also heads the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Informatization named after the Heroes of Kruty, which underscores his specialized expertise in communications, informatization, and cyber defense. ### The Role of the Communications and Cybersecurity Troops The Communications and Cybersecurity Troops are a separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are tasked with planning and ensuring the deployment and operation of the army's communications systems, as well as participating in the national cybersecurity system and countering military aggression against Ukraine in cyberspace. In the conditions of a modern war, where the command of units, communications, and the protection of information systems directly affect combat operations, the importance of this branch has grown manifold. ### Context of Personnel Changes in the Armed Forces Kovalenko's appointment is part of a series of personnel decisions by the president regarding the military services. On September 14, Zelensky signed a decree appointing a new commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces — military surgeon, Colonel of the Medical Service Kostiantyn Humenyuk. Earlier, on September 2, Sviatoslav Zaitso was appointed the new commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The combination of these decisions indicates a systematic renewal of the leadership of the army's key branches and forces. ### Significance of the Appointment Formalizing the command of the Communications and Cybersecurity Troops after a period of acting service allows efforts to be focused on developing communications infrastructure and strengthening the state's cyber defense. The appointment of a specialist with experience both as a military leader and as a teacher and scientific supervisor at the relevant institute is seen as a step toward systematic work on cybersecurity and communications resilience amid ongoing combat operations. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops Receive New Commander](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/viyska-zv-yazku-ta-kiberbezpeki-zsu-otrimali-1789494963.html) - Подтверждает указ №931/2026 от 15 сентября, ФИО Коваленко Алексея Александровича, статус временного исполняющего с 2023 года и должность начальника Военного института телекоммуникаций и информатизации им. Героев Крут. - [Ukraine Has a Commander for the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops](https://24tv.ua/ru/aleksej-kovalenko-vozglavil-vojska-svjazi-i-kiberbezopasnosti-vsu-ukaz-zelenskogo-ot-15-sentjabrja_n3142773) - Подтверждает указ Зеленского от 15 сентября о назначении Коваленко командующим Войсками связи и кибербезопасности. - [Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Rear Lines: Kovalenko Explains the Threat to the 'Surovikin Line'](https://www.unian.net/war/liniya-surovikina-vsu-unichtozhayut-logistiku-okkupantov-13396227.html) - Контекстный источник: показывает публичную активность Коваленко как военного руководителя, не относится непосредственно к факту назначения. - [Zelensky Appoints Commander of the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/09/15/8053609/) - Подтверждает факт подписания указа о назначении Коваленко командующим. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who has been appointed Commander of the Armed Forces' Communications and Cybersecurity Troops? **A:** Brigadier General Oleksiy Oleksandrovych Kovalenko, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 931/2026 dated September 15, 2026. ### Q: How long had Kovalenko been leading this branch before his official appointment? **A:** Since 2023 he had been serving as acting commander of the Communications and Cybersecurity Troops, after which he was appointed to the position by decree of September 15, 2026. ### Q: What other personnel appointments in the Armed Forces took place in September 2026? **A:** On September 14, the commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces was appointed — Colonel Kostiantyn Humenyuk — and on September 2, Sviatoslav Zaitso became the new commander of the Ground Forces.