Intellect and technology shape the course of war – Anna Gvozdiar at ‘Sikorsky Challenge 2025’

Ukraine is transforming innovation into real defense capabilities through cooperation among the state, the science sector, and industry.

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Anna Gvozdiar made this statement at the opening of the 14th International Festival of Innovative Projects ‘Sikorsky Challenge 2025’, hosted by the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.”

“Modern warfare is a race of innovation. Victory belongs to those who think faster, experiment, and create new solutions for the front. Ukraine proves it every day through the teamwork of engineers, the military, and scientists,” said Anna Gvozdiar.

This year, the ‘Sikorsky Challenge’ festival brought together participants from various fields, including students, representatives of defense companies and startups, as well as the public and government sectors. The key theme of the festival was defense innovation – technologies that help the Armed Forces of Ukraine sustain a technological edge on the battlefield.

According to Anna Gvozdiar, since the onset of the full-scale war, the scientific community has been actively contributing to the development of defense technologies. 

Concurrently, the Ministry of Defence is focusing on enhancing cooperation among manufacturers, developers, and engineers within ZBROYA — Ukraine’s defense industry ecosystem. At “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” and other universities, career events allow students to meet with manufacturers, discover defense professions, and begin their first internships.