Today, Ukraine is, without exaggeration, both the "shield and spear" of the Western world. As the world fully realizes that Putin has no intention of stopping, European countries are increasingly rearming and modernizing their armed forces. At the same time, new military technologies are emerging – developed both within Ukraine and by Ukrainians abroad. The war has provided a powerful impetus for engineers, designers, and programmers working in the military sector, leading to the creation of unique solutions. Over the past decade, a significant number of small and large companies have emerged with their own innovations, many of which are already in use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Despite concerns among many Ukrainians about the implications of Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office – especially regarding Ukraine’s defense capabilities – the United States continues to support Ukraine militarily and technologically. Entire groups from the American military tech sector are traveling for training sessions, workshops, and discussions with potential investors. However, while American society deeply sympathizes with Ukraine, it still feels relatively safe: missiles or drones do not fly over diaspora communities, and their businesses have never been targeted by Russians. Instead, they seek to contribute to the technological advancement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, invest in companies, and actively share positive news signaling progress toward victory.
The Price of Publicity in Military Projects
It is crucial to understand that any public disclosure in the highly specialized military sector is extremely risky. Today, Russian intelligence and highly skilled OSINT analysts (open-source intelligence specialists) are collecting even the smallest details about Ukraine's defense-industrial complex, closely tracking even minor companies and their key personnel. This problem is exacerbated by the active presence of Ukrainians on social media: a simple Instagram story or a Facebook post can become a puzzle piece that provides the enemy with additional intelligence.
Revealing names, company titles, project details, engineers' identities, or office locations is essentially an open invitation for Russian intelligence services or their agents. These operatives can infiltrate Ukrainian enterprises or other structures to obtain documentation, blueprints, supply chain information, sources of funding, and other critically important details. Often, this interest escalates into direct sabotage: drones or missiles target production facilities, or attacks are carried out on locations where volunteers and military engineers gather. This has already happened – when the enemy launched a missile at a facility where drone specialists were meeting. That location was a key contributor to the destruction of Russian military equipment on the frontlines.
The most alarming part is that a significant portion of this intelligence reaches the enemy through entirely legitimate sources: social media, news outlets, or press releases. Someone wants to "show off" a breakthrough innovation or a successful investment round; another organizes a conference or a "strategic session" and publicly announces the list of participants – handing the Russians complete profiles of these individuals. To plan strikes or sabotage, all they need to do is supplement these profiles with technical details.
State Secrets and the Temptation of Disclosure
Unlike civilians, those working within the Ministry of Defense or security agencies understand the importance of safeguarding state secrets and are highly cautious in their public statements. Officials such as the Minister of Defense or the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council cannot afford to provide detailed comments on new military programs or the operations of defense factories. All critical information remains classified, with the media receiving only brief and maximally secure press service updates.
At the same time, "informal" sources – volunteers, activists, and relatives of military personnel – can inadvertently leak critical information. Sometimes, this leads to major scandals or, worse, provides targeting intelligence for enemy strikes. A recent example occurred when details of a particular military gathering were made public, and shortly afterward, a missile struck precisely where volunteers and drone engineers had assembled. Due to such "coincidences," Russian intelligence services can plan operations with minimal error.
Between the Desire for Good News and the Reality of Threats
On the other hand, Ukrainians desperately need positive news amid daily bombardments. Seeing advancements in military technology, innovative solutions for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and continued support from allies brings a sense of reassurance and confidence. However, there is a dangerous extreme: the desire to showcase achievements can lead to catastrophic consequences. A single careless word, photo, or video revealing a secret development or a valuable contact can cost an entire team their lives.
Ukrainians abroad must be especially cautious. While they continue to actively support their homeland, their physical distance from the war zone dulls their sense of danger. Headlines such as "first-ever developed drone," "new milestone for a military startup," or "meeting with American investors" may seem purely positive. But for the enemy, they are a valuable source of intelligence. Carelessness in social media posts and interviews can turn these startups into targets and their teams into primary objectives for Russian intelligence operations.
Too Many Friends – A Risk as Well?
It is also essential to remember that, beyond our enemy, allied intelligence services exist too. They, too, monitor, analyze, and collect data because every country prioritizes its own security above all else. While we deeply appreciate military and financial assistance from the U.S., Canada, the EU, and other partners, Ukraine's long-term strength depends on our ability to protect our most classified plans. When too many people – including those in friendly nations – become aware of critical developments, the risks increase exponentially.
This challenge is especially relevant in times of shifting political landscapes—just consider how U.S. policy is evolving as the inauguration of a new president approaches. For Ukrainians, it is crucial not only to be grateful for the support received but also to practice Operational Security (OPSEC) – minimizing data leaks, protecting information about production sites, and safeguarding the details of military technology development.
The Responsibility of Each and Every One of Us
It may seem that information security is solely the responsibility of intelligence agencies or the Ministry of Defense. However, in reality, every social media post, every Instagram story, and every attendance at public events involving military companies – without proper security measures – can “gift” the enemy a wealth of intelligence. Even when discussing military progress, we must remember: silence at the right moment can save thousands of lives.
- If you write about new military technology, consider whether you might be revealing details that could harm the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- If you attend an event discussing defense industry projects, avoid publicly sharing participant lists or locations too hastily.
- If you are a volunteer, document aid to the military wisely—without precise coordinates or mentioning the names of key engineers.
This does not mean we must suppress all information, refrain from sharing victories, or withhold critical signals from our allies. The key is critical awareness and an understanding of the consequences. Russia meticulously analyzes information in real time. And if we carelessly disclose even minor details, we are directly endangering our minds, our hands, and our technologies – the very tools that ensure victory.
And remember: even partners act in their own strategic interests. The number of people aware of our most vital defense plans should be as close to zero as possible. Otherwise, we risk turning our achievements into vulnerabilities that Russian – or other – intelligence services could exploit in the future.
This is how we protect what is most precious – human lives – and with them, Ukraine's ability to endure, strengthen its defense capabilities, and solidify its position in the global geopolitical arena. This is a shared responsibility for every Ukrainian, no matter where they are.
Author: Lukian Selskyi