AI Nodus: Ukraine - Week of January 27, 2025
AI Nodus: Ukraine is a bi-weekly report tracking AI developments across Ukraine's government, defense, and technology sectors.
Key Developments:
Brave1 Dataroom opens a Palantir-based sandbox for training AI on real battlefield datasets
Defense Ministry outlines plans for “data proving grounds” enabling Western partners to train AI on Ukrainian frontline data
Brave1 awards funding to 13 companies for 18 projects advancing autonomous drone and fire-control capabilities
Ukraine gains international recognition for government AI leadership via Apolitical’s Government AI 100 (2026)
Monobank introduces automated extraction of IBAN payment details from uploaded invoices and documents
SoftServe launches AgentForge, a $10,000 hybrid hackathon focused on next-generation autonomous AI agents
DEFENSE AI & BATTLEFIELD DATA INFRASTRUCTURE
Brave1 and Palantir Launch “Brave1 Dataroom” for Wartime Data–Driven AI Development
Ukraine has launched Brave1 Dataroom, a secure environment for testing and training AI models using real battlefield data, implemented by the Brave1 defense-tech platform in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Research Institute of Military Intelligence, and U.S. software company Palantir. The first phase focuses on autonomous detection and interception of aerial threats, including Shahed-type attack drones, using curated visual and thermal datasets that are expected to expand. The environment is built on Palantir software, with access granted to Ukrainian defense developers after passing security compliance procedures, and the initiative is positioned as a potential pathway to share battlefield-validated algorithms with Ukraine’s allies.
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Ukraine Plans “Data Proving Grounds” to Train Western AI Models on Ukrainian Wartime Data
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Western partners want to train their AI products on Ukrainian frontline data, and that Ukraine will build a dedicated “data proving ground” infrastructure for this purpose, according to remarks reported by Forbes Ukraine. He added that the Ministry of Defense will seek additional funding to support the project. Fedorov also stated that “real-time R&D” in the Chernihiv region enabled production of 40,000 interceptor drones in January, and he outlined battlefield objectives tied to monthly attrition targets.
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Brave1 Funds AI-Enabled Autonomous Engagement Systems via Competition for Defense-Tech Startups
Brave1’s defense-tech cluster funded 13 Ukrainian companies across 18 AI-based projects following a competition that attracted nearly 60 participants, according to comments by Brave1 CEO Andrii Hrytseniuk on the “Do Zbroi!” program. The funded concepts include “loitering drones” (referred to as drony-zhduny) and other fire-control systems designed to operate with greater autonomy, reducing reliance on one operator per drone. The article also notes that Ukrainian forces are already using AI-guidance modules that can help drones remain effective under electronic jamming and track moving targets at distances of up to 1 km.
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GOVERNMENT AI
Ukraine Featured in Apolitical’s “Government AI 100 (2026)” List of Public-Sector AI Leaders
Ukraine is included in Government AI 100 (2026), an international list compiled by Apolitical highlighting leaders shaping how AI is implemented, governed, and scaled in government. The article notes Ukraine’s stated goal to rank among the top three countries globally in AI development and adoption by 2030, positioning this recognition as evidence of institutional progress.
Two Ukrainian officials are highlighted: Valeriia Ionan, advisor to the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Digital Transformation, is listed in AI implementation and adoption, with work spanning the Diia ecosystem and initiatives such as Diia.Business and Diia.Education. Oleksandr Borniakov, acting Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, is listed in AI governance and regulation, with responsibilities referenced in areas including Diia.City and coordination of the Brave1 defense-tech cluster.
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CONSUMER AI & AI TALENT
Monobank Adds AI Feature to Extract Payment Details from Uploaded Documents
Monobank co-owner Oleh Horokhovskyi announced a new AI-powered feature that simplifies payments by automatically extracting required details from uploaded documents. For IBAN payments, users can upload an account or invoice in PDF, PNG, or JPEG format, and the system extracts the likely payment requisites, with users advised to verify their correctness before submitting. Horokhovskyi also noted that the app already supports pasting a message containing requisites, in which Monobank automatically separates payment details from irrelevant text.
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SoftServe Launches “AgentForge” Hackathon with $10,000 Prize Pool for Autonomous AI Agents
SoftServe announced AgentForge, a hackathon focused on building next-generation autonomous AI agents, offering a total prize pool of $10,000. The event will run in a hybrid format and targets developers, ML engineers, data science professionals, researchers, and students working on or interested in autonomous AI systems. The company frames “agentic AI” as a step beyond traditional chatbots, emphasizing systems that can plan actions, interact with each other, and execute complex tasks with minimal human involvement.