Ukraine Discussion

Lessons Learned from Ukraine:

Integration of Technology into Military Operations

Vladyslav Sobolevskyi

3rd Separate Assault Brigade of Armed Forces of Ukraine | Deputy Commander

Vladyslav’s career spans critical roles in high-pressure environments, where his leadership and tactical acumen were instrumental in key defense operations. He coordinated missions to defend Kyiv, protect strategic positions in Bakhmut, and spearhead the liberation of Kherson. He also oversaw the successful aerial supply operation “Sky,” delivering essential supplies and reinforcements to besieged areas. During 2014 invasion, he participated in the liberation of Mariupol, Maryinka, and Shyrokyne. His proven ability to integrate NATO military standards significantly enhanced operational efficiency and combat readiness.

George Kuparashvili

354th Mechanized Regiment of Armed Forces of Ukraine | Commander

Served in the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense (2022–2024), overseeing combat training for the 3rd Assault Brigade during pivotal defensive operations. Early in the war, he defended Mariupol, was seriously wounded, and endured five days in the bunker before being heroically evacuated. George brings decades of multinational experience to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Trained at top international institutions—ranging from the US Marine Corps NCO School in North Carolina, the US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, the Airborne and Air Assault Schools in the United States, to specialized programs in Canada, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and the UK—he has built a leadership style rooted in best practices worldwide. George has extensive combat experience, including a deployment with KFOR in Kosovo, antiterrorist operations in the Caucasus, and service in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2010. Since joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2014, he has leveraged his global exposure and hands-on operational expertise to pioneer modern defense strategies and effectively safeguard national security.

Viktoriia Honcharuk

Hospitalliers Medical Battalion | Combat Medic

Worked on evacuating injured soldiers from the battlefields of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, the Zaporizhia region, and the Luhansk region for over two years. She provides critical care in high-intensity combat zones on the front lines of evacuation. As the leader of her evacuation crew, she is responsible for making critical medical decisions under fire, ensuring wounded soldiers receive life-saving treatment before reaching higherlevel care. A former Morgan Stanley investment banker and ex-Citi analyst, Viktoriia is an incoming Harvard MS student in Data Science. She left Wall Street and a successful career to protect her home country. She also leads AB3Tech, connecting frontline needs with emerging defense technologies. Viktoriia actively advocates for securing support for Ukraine in the military and defense tech sectors across Europe and was recognized among Ukraine’s 100 most influential women in 2025.

Gene R. Keselman

MIT Mission Innovation Experimental (MIx) | Executive Director

Gene has held leadership positions in a range of start-ups: he is the co-Founder of ServDAO and formerly co-Founder of Esports One and the Foundation for Innovation and Discovery (FINND), where he is now a Board Director. He sits on the Reagan Institute’s National Security Industrial Base Advisory Board, supports numerous startups as a board advisor and has also been a space and defense industry consultant. As a military officer in the Air Force Reserves, Colonel Keselman works as the senior Reservist and Director, Strategic Incubation & SSG Reserve Program for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Strategic Studies Group (SSG). He has formerly been the IMA to the Director of the DAF-MIT A.I. Accelerator and Chief, Technology Development in USD R&E amongst many other positions. His career has spanned military fields including nuclear operations, space operations and acquisition and he has founded and run numerous operational and R&D programs in the Intelligence Community. He is published in Space journals, is Government CIO certified and fluent in Russian.

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