Nine Ukrainian military higher education institutions have joined the European Security and Defence College network

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has received official confirmation from the Executive Academic Board of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) on the inclusion of nine higher military education institutions and military training units within the MoD system into this European educational network.

As earlier reported by the Ministry of Defence, in January 2025, seven Ukrainian military higher education institutions submitted their applications to join the ESDC, followed by two additional institutions.

This step is a crucial element in integrating Euro-Atlantic standards into the professional education system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, promoting interoperability with partner nations, and creating new opportunities for advancing military education.

“This, in particular, allows for the development of new educational products and their joint delivery with partner institutions from EU member states,” said Volodymyr Mirnenko, Head of the Department of Military Education and Science of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The following institutions have joined the ESDC network:

• Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy;
• Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv;
• Zhytomyr Military Institute named after S.P. Korolyov;
• Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University;
• Military Academy (Odesa);
• Naval Institute of National University “Odesa Maritime Academy”;
• Military Institute for Tank Troops of National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”;
• Kruty Heroes Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology;
• Institute of Military Law of Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University.

The ESDC network offers a broad array of training programs and courses covering several key areas, including defense and security, leadership and management, participation in EU missions, cybersecurity, international cooperation, and more. 

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the public organization “Boryviter Military School” for its support in establishing communication with the ESDC.

The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) was established in 2005 to deliver strategic-level education within the framework of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy and to foster a European security culture.