145 entries from 55 military units at Brave Awards 2026

The submission period for the first Brave Awards 2026 military advertising competition has closed. 145 entries from 55 units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces took time out from their day-to-day duties to take part in this creative competition.

According to Dmytro Fedorenko, Chair of the Military Advertising Committee of the All-Ukrainian Advertising Council and founder of SEVENTEAM, such a result for the competition’s first year sends an extremely strong signal to the industry.

In recent years, we have all witnessed how military units have begun to compete not only on the battlefield, but also for the attention of recruits, donors, partners and society. And in this competition, communication has become critically important. Strong military brands today are no longer an exception, but a necessity. Troika, Azov, Khartia, SBS, K-2, Ptakhy Madyara and other high-profile units realised this in good time. And that is why they are where they are today.

The ‘Military Advertising’ category, whether we like it or not, has become a reality. That is precisely why, at the VRK level, we initiated the creation of a separate ‘Military Advertising’ committee, and a year later, the Brave Awards competition itself. It is important not simply to present awards, but to establish a benchmark for the new category, to provide military communicators with a professional environment, recognition and new quality standards.

The next stage is now underway. The jury has begun assessing the entries. A shortlist of award nominees will be drawn up over the course of the week. This will be followed by an in-person jury meeting to select the candidates for gold, silver and bronze.

And on 28 May, we will see the first winners of the Brave Awards 2026 on stage at the Ukrainian Creative Stories event.