Mykhailo Fedorov on what the MoD’s AI centre does and who leads it

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has shared how the ‘Defense AI Center A1’ operates. The centre was launched within the ministry in mid-March to develop AI-based defence solutions. According to the minister, the first steps after launch included working with data, building infrastructure, and assembling a team.

Danilo Tsvok has been appointed CEO of the centre, and Dmytro Ovcharenko has been appointed CTO. Previously, Tsvok served as Chief AI Officer at the Ministry of Digital Transformation and headed the WINWIN AI Center of Excellence. He led the launch of key national AI projects, including Diia.AI, Ukraine’s national LLM, and the AI development strategy to 2030. In parallel, he worked on defence AI solutions and developed partnerships with Big Tech companies.

Dmytro Ovcharenko is a former AI CTO at the Ministry of Digital Transformation and technical director of the WINWIN AI Center of Excellence. Under his leadership, according to Fedorov, the government launched its AI infrastructure, including the AI Factory, and developed key AI solutions such as Diia.AI.

Fedorov noted that the Tsvok–Ovcharenko tandem shaped key AI initiatives at the state level and also worked on defence AI projects. He added that under their leadership, Ukraine climbed a record 13 positions in global AI rankings over the past year.

According to Fedorov, data is currently the centre’s key focus. “We are establishing unified approaches to data quality, standardisation, protection, and its use for AI training,” he said. “This is the foundation for accurate analysis, forecasting, and rapid decision-making in combat conditions.”

At the same time, the team is developing simulation and modelling environments for testing solutions, AI infrastructure for rapid system deployment, and tools that can be immediately integrated into military units.

Fedorov also highlighted partnerships as a separate track of the centre’s work. He emphasised that the initiative is being implemented with the support of the UK government, with cooperation expanding at both government and private-sector levels.