On September 23, 2026, OpenAI announced its partnership with Ukraine to integrate its Daybreak cybersecurity program, aimed at bolstering the country's defenses against cyber threats. This collaboration comes as Ukraine faces an increasing number of cyberattacks attributed to Russian actors. According to Ukrainian cybersecurity services, nearly 6,000 incidents were reported in 2025, affecting sensitive sectors such as administration, energy, telecommunications, and healthcare.
The Daybreak program will provide Ukrainian teams with access to OpenAI's artificial intelligence capabilities for researching and correcting vulnerabilities. This technology will enable Ukrainian defenders to examine computer systems, search for software flaws, and accelerate their correction. OpenAI's goal is to support Ukraine's cyber defense efforts, not participate in military operations. The program focuses on protecting civilian infrastructure from cyberattacks.
OpenAI's Daybreak program is designed to give defenders additional tools to counter the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. The company has been exploring partnerships with public sector cybersecurity actors. Poland has already tested OpenAI's capabilities, working with CERT Polska to identify vulnerabilities in MikroTik RouterOS using language model-based agents.
CERT Polska's experience with OpenAI's technology led to the discovery and disclosure of six vulnerabilities in MikroTik RouterOS. Two of these vulnerabilities could be combined to allow complete control of a device without authentication. This experience demonstrates the potential for AI-assisted vulnerability research and analysis.
The partnership between OpenAI and Ukraine aims to enhance the country's cybersecurity posture against Russian cyber threats. Ukraine's experience with the Daybreak program will be closely watched, as it is a new initiative. The use of AI in cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, as threat actors continue to evolve their tactics.
The announcement of the partnership comes as Ukraine faces ongoing cyberattacks from Russian actors. The Ukrainian government has been working to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses, and the partnership with OpenAI is a significant step in this effort. The success of the Daybreak program in Ukraine could have implications for other countries facing similar cyber threats.
The integration of OpenAI's Daybreak program into Ukraine's cybersecurity strategy is a significant development in the country's efforts to protect its civilian infrastructure from cyber threats. The use of AI-powered tools will enhance Ukraine's ability to detect and respond to vulnerabilities, ultimately strengthening its cyber defenses.
Key points
- OpenAI partners with Ukraine to provide AI-powered cybersecurity tools to protect its civilian infrastructure from Russian cyberattacks.
- The partnership aims to enhance Ukraine's cyber defense efforts, not participate in military operations.
- The use of AI in cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, as threat actors continue to evolve their tactics.
