Ukraine's parliament advanced a plan for a Space Forces branch at first reading Monday, Nov. 9, moving forward a change to military organization that would require additional Defense Ministry spending.
The Verkhovna Rada's voting record shows 252 lawmakers backed draft law No. 13255. The proposal would amend Article 3 of the law governing Ukraine's armed forces to include Space Forces among its branches. First-reading approval does not make the proposal law.
The bill's explanatory note says the branch is intended to help Ukraine respond to potential aggression from space. It names Russia among possible adversaries and calls for an organized, legally defined response supported by institutions and military technology.
A parliamentary budget review says creating and maintaining the branch would add to Defense Ministry spending. The Rada's bill record lists the proposal as being prepared for a second reading but gives no date for it.
