Ambassador of Ukraine on Deterrence Through Innovation

Ambassador of Ukraine
addressing the Australian Defense Tech Hackathon, 
photo by Tom Worthington, CC-BY 8 February 2026

Greetings from the last day of the Australian Defense Tech Hackathon at UNSW Canberra. The Ambassador of Ukraine is arguing that deterrence through innovation is needed. He discussed recent development with drones and communing integration of AI with them. Being an island nation, the specific equipment Australia needs, I suggest, will be different, but the concepts apply. Australia will need long range smart weapons, an example being the use of smart sea mines, deployed from Australia's Ghost Shark robot submarines. 

The ambassador pointed to the use of a digital ID application. This not only allows displaced population be identified to receive government benefits, but also report the location of enemy forces. 

Next we are going to hear pitches from 21 teams ...

Ukraine Choosing Freedom

Greetings from the ANU Centre for European Studies, where Dr Olesya Khromeychuk, is speaking on Choosing Freedom in Ukraine. In his introduction, His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine, praised the role of "citizen ambassadors", to keep his nation in the spotlight.

Dr Khromeychuk related the view from her pre-independence childhood home, with the dismal remains of the soviet system crumbling outside. She later marched in an independence parade on the same street. Dr Khromeychuk then took us back through the history of Ukraine, then forward through multiple protests for independence. This is a useful message for the rest of the world: Ukraine's current struggle is not the first time the Ukrainian people have had to put their lives on the line.

Dr Khromeychuk related how she has her first year history students will draw a map of Europe with the Russian border through the middle of Ukraine. She suggests the mental map of Europeans needs to be redrawn.

Since 2022, ANU has hosted a series of seminars on the Ukraine war. There is very much the sense of history being written as it is happening. Sitting in the front row are ambassadors of nations of eastern europe. At a previous seminar one remarked "We are at war". 

At question time one interesting point was that indepdentent Ukraine should not be referred to as "The Ukraine", as that would indicate it was still part of someone were else. I asked what Australia could do to help. Dr Khromeychuk surprised me by asking for Ukrainian studies, and cultural links, rather than guns and tanks. She made the point that universite are being destroyed. I noticed this has even stopped some Chinese students from studying. The Ambassador thanked Australia for diplomatic and material support. He pointed out they are in the middle of winter and need more coal, but did not mention tanks. He said he was also keen on academic exchanges.

Cyber-criminals as Modern State Sponsored Pirates

Greetings from the Australian National University where Professor Andrew Goldsmith is speaking on "Cyber-criminals as semi-state actors: weaponising ransomware and the Russia/Ukraine conflict". He pointed out that ransomware attacks thought to be originating from Russia are using software which is more normally used for extracting information from systems than simply blackmailing, suggesting a state sponsored role. Professor Goldsmith then went back to the past and pointed out that states in the past have sanctioned private for-profit military operations, in the form of piracy. He says ransomware is attractive as it is financially rewarding for private groups, while being deniable for the state and recommended Egloff (2018). 

Professor Goldsmith asserted that Australian government doesn't have cyber-security capabilities, and has to rely on companies. I suggested that perhaps we needed the equivalent of a coastguard used to combat piracy, that is a force combining the features of military and police. Professor Goldsmith responded that to combat a network, you need your own network, but that having companies conducting offensive cyber-warfare was problematic. The solution, I suggest, is to have reserve ADF personnel, who are continually trained using educational technology, working for the companies. They can look for attacks in their civilian day job, and if an offensive response is needed, put on their uniform. 

References

Egloff, F. (2018). Cybersecurity and non-state actors: a historical analogy with mercantile companies, privateers, and pirates [PhD thesis]. University of Oxford. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:77eb9bad-ca00-48b3-abcf-d284c6d27571/

Ukraine President Address to the Australian National University

Audience in ANU Hall 
(still image from ANU TV)

This afternoon, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, addressed staff and students of the Australian National University, via video. He acknowledged Australia's contribution as the largest non-NATO provider of military assistance.

Ukraine have run an impressive Information Warfare campaign, with subtility, and occasional humor. This is a capability Australia needs to build as part of its defence rethink.. I will be speaking on "Designing for scale: How to use mobile devices to recruit, train and equip the extra 18,500 defence personnel", at the Mobile Learning Special Interest Group meeting of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE), 10 am, Friday, August 26, 2022.

President Zelenskyy speaking to ANU 
(still image from ANU TV)

Ukraine President to Address ANU Online Wednesday, All Welcome

Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
President of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, will speak via video to staff and students of the Australian National University, 5 pm AEST, Wednesday 3 August. This is booked out, but you can watch online.

The Ukraine Ambassador to Australia, who was previously the country's head of information warfare, previously talked at ANU in person. 

ps: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's comedy TV series "Servant Of The People" is available from SBS On Demand. ;-)

Global Energy Transition Accelerated by Ukraine Situation?

Professor Jotzo,  Ambassadors Pulch,
& Myroshnychenko, at ANU 

Greetings from the Australian National University in Canberra, where Dr Michael Pulch (European Union), and Vasyl Myroshnychenko (Ukraine),  Ambassadors to Australia, are speaking along with the ANU's own Professor Frank Jotzo on the energy implications of the situation in the Ukraine. The obvious solution is more use of renewable energy, but that is not easy, or cheap to do, especially quickly. The event is in a theater of the ANU Research School of Social Sciences, with a wonderful view of the Campus and Black Mountain. 

The EU Ambassador pointed that imported gas dependence had increased in the last few years, due to declining local extraction, and conversion from other fuels. Also they noted the spread of dependency was uneven across the EU. The Union this year decided to phase out dependency on imported gas, however that sound to me like the Captain of the Titanic deciding to buy more lifeboats, but only after seeing the iceberg. The Ambassador did note there are some short term moves possible, to increase gas imports other than from Russia, having more storage, and more use of coal. In the longer term the Ambassador said they were looking to follow Australia's example promoting rooftop solar. But they noted options would not be simple or cheap.

The Ambassador said they did not expect significant LNG exports from Australia, but Australia could increase experts to other regions, thus freeing up supplies for Europe. The Ambassador did not mention longer term opportunities for Europe to buy renewable energy from Australia, in the form of synthetic fuels, or Australian technology to reduce energy use.

The Ukrainian Ambassador noted Russian "weaponizartion" of energy policy. They argued previous German policy on gas from Russia propped up the Soviet Union. They referred to the "Schröderization" of energy,  German politician, Gerhard Schröder, advocating the Nord Stream pipeline, then after retirement taking up a board position. The Ambassador advocated phasing out Russian gas in Europe, facing up to the shock. They said Ukraine will buy more Australian coal and uranium. These will be unpalatable messages for European and Australian governments. Quickly phasing out Russian gas will have a local political cost, as would the new Australian government, which may dependent on cross benches, supporting coal and uranium. The Ambassador also may a very technical point that Australian LNG has a different composition, and so EU industry may need to make changes to use it for chemical production (simply burning it is less of a problem). 

Professor Jotzo pointed out that the Ukraine situation can lead to increased use of renewable energy in the long term, as well as energy trade within political blocks. However, there will be more investment in fossil fuels in the short term. What they did not mention was the potential for changes in behavior to reduce energy use. As an example of what can be done where needed, was the shift to online work and study during COVID-19. This was something many thought impossible, until their life, and livelihood, depended on changing behavior. 

National governments are understandably anxious to return to "normal" after pandemic restrictions. However, where "normal" involves the use of fossil fuel for travel, which could be eliminated with online work and study, government could productively work on a new normal. In my course "ICT Sustainability" (currently offered online from Canada)I invited students to consider how such changes could reduce emissions. So I asked the panel about this. Professor Jotzo suggested the energy savings from telecommuting would be marginal. ,  Ambassador Pulch pointed out the many small savings which could be made would add up. Ambassador Myroshnychenko pointed out that working from home has energy costs, may lower the quality of work decisions, and quality of life. He pointed out people were very keen to travel after the pandemic.

Ukraine Destroyed the Myth of Russian Invincibility Says Ambassador Designate to Australia

Mr Myroshnychenko,
speaking in the ANU Moot Court.
Photo by Tom Worthington, CC-BY 30 March 2022

Greetings from the Moot Court at the ANU, where  Ukraine's Ambassador Designate to Australia is making an unscheduled speech, opening day two of "Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: A Colloquium". He said that the Ukraine destroyed the myth of Russian invincibility. Mr Myroshnychenko pointed out he doesn't have a background in diplomacy, but is a businessperson. However, his biography shows he is a specialist in strategic communications, and co-founded Ukraine Crisis Media. Mr Myroshnychenko will become the ambassador to Australia officially on Friday.

In answer to a question Mr Myroshnychenko said that the US Starlink satellite communications system had been useful for both civilian and military communications in the Ukraine. He also pointed out how Russia sought manipulate public opinion using messages different for internal and external audiences.

Mr Myroshnychenko referred to the use of talk shows by Russia, which manipulate emotions, modeled on those popularized in the USA. He then looked ahead to how difficult it will be to reeducate the people influenced by Russian messages. He pointed out how difficult this was, with people in Germany after WWII. But perhaps a better analogy today would be with those convinced by QAnon conspiracy theories.

Information Warfare Division, 
Australian Department of Defence

The Australian Government yesterday announced a doubling of the staff of the Australian Signals Directorate, and expansion of offensive cyber operations. As well as technical operations, to hack into enemies computers, I suggest it would be prudent to spend some of this money on the softer side of cyber operations, with information warfare. Australian personnel have been assisting Ukraine with cyber-security training, but I suggest there is much Australia could learn from Ukraine about information warfare.

In the Q&A I asked if Australian could learn from the information warfare situation in Europe. Mr Myroshnychenko replied that Australia could play a useful role countering Russian propaganda in the Pacific. Also Dr Robert Horvath, La Trobe University, suggested Australia could learn from Estonia's experience countering cyber attacks.

European Ambassadors Discuss Russia in Ukraine in Canberra

 Chancellor Bishop opening the

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Colloquium

Greetings from "Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: A Colloquium", at the Moot Court of the Australian National University in Canberra. Chancellor Bishop is opening the colloquium. With a row of distinguished European ambassadors, flags, and a judges bench behind, it is perhaps a foretaste of the war crimes tribunals to come. But those are likely years away.  

The colloquium is an example of one of the uses of a research university. Whatever the topic,  you can likely find an expert on it at a major university. This event has the ambassadors today, and the the ANU's strategic experts give their views Wednesday. 

One ambassador, mentioned the effect of cyber attacks on European countries, another the unexpected unity, but this will be tested as sanctions harm European economies, as well as Russia. Unexpected unity was mentioned again. The claim was made the war was "unprecedented", which seems at odds with Europe's bloody history. The prospect of chemical, biological and "other" (ie: Nuclear) weapons were mentioned, with the suggestion European countries needed to be ready with a response. Option may be limited as US doctrine call for a response in kind, if a weapon of mass destruction is used against it. So what happens if a stray chemical, biological, or nuclear weapon which causes mass causalities of US personnel deployed to a European ally? Also it was chilling to hear ambassador's saying their countries were preparing for war, and that under the NATO alliance, an attack on one country is an attack on all. In particular the representatives of the smaller European countries on the western edge of the EU think of themselves as already at war, by proxy. 

In his response Mr Kyle Wilson, Visiting Fellow,  ANU Centre for European Studies, suggested that the conflict started with a cyber attack on Estonia in 2007.

"Day 1: A diplomatic perspective from Europe

Panel 1: Collective responses to shared challenges

• H.E. Dr Michael Pulch, Ambassador of the European Union
• H.E. Mr Michał Kołodziejski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland
• H.E. Ms Satu Mattila-Budich, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland
• H.E. Ms Kersti Eesmaa, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia

Panel 2: The future of Europe’s security architecture

• H.E. Mr Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of the French Republic
• H.E. Ms Pernille Dahler Kardel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark
• H.E. Dr Thomas Fitschen, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
• H.E. Ms Betty Bernardica Pavelich, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia

Day 2: Liberal democracies and threats to the rules-based international order

Date and time: 30 March, 9.30am-4.30pm

Australia’s leading authorities on Eastern Europe will examine Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from political, strategic, historical and cultural angles, and will reflect on the possible threat the conflict poses to the rules-based international order.

The speakers include Dr Robert Horvath (La Trobe University), Prof Paul Dibb (ANU), A/Prof William Partlett (The University of Melbourne), Dr Stephen Fortescue (UNSW), Mr Petr Kuzmin (President of Svoboda Alliance VIC), Mr Bertil Wenger (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung), Dr Matthew Sussex (Australian Defence College), Dr Sonia Mycak (ANU), Dr Elena Govor (ANU).

See the program and speakers here."

Expert Analysis of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine at the Australian National University

The Australian National University is holding a free two day event on "Russia's Invasion of Ukraine", 28 and 30 March 2022. This will feature eight ambassadors of European countries on the first day, and strategic scholars on the second.

COVID-19 closing campuses has caused many to ask what universities are for. This event answers one of those questions: at times of crisis, universities provide experts, with a depth of experience, to help answer very difficult questions. It is easy to dismiss the views of academics, but some of us have direct experience of working in defence organisations.