Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine

Mstyslav Banik was appointed Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine on 25 March 2026 pursuant to Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 261-r of 25 March 2026. Prior to his appointment, he served as Head of Digital Products at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Areas of responsibility

• reforming the Ministry of Defence procurement system;
• increasing the transparency and efficiency of procurement for Ukraine’s military.

Personal information

• Mstyslav Banik was born in 1990 in Uzhhorod.

Education

• 2011 — Kirovohrad Institute of Commerce (now the Robert Elworthy Economics and Technology Institute), degree in Finance.
• 2011–2012 — Specialist degree in Marketing and Marketing Management.
• 2024 — Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, degree in Public Management and Administration.

Professional background

• Until 2019 — Private entrepreneur: marketing, online communications, and digital products for businesses.
• 2019–2025 — Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine: responsible for the launch and development of the Diia digital government service platform.
• 2025 — Head of Digital Products at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine: led the development of Army+ and Reserve+, established a product vision, and transitioned the teams to a product-driven model.
• Since 25 March 2026 — Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine: responsible for defense procurement reform.

Military service

• Since 2024 — Volunteer with the CODE 9.2 unit: progressed from soldier to officer, helped establish an FPV drone unit, and served at the staff level.
• Participated in the Kursk operation as part of the CODE 9.2 unit.

Awards and distinctions

In 2025, he was awarded the “Silver Cross” honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the successful planning and execution of missions during the Kursk operation.