29.10.2026
Kharkiv hosted a regional technology sports and cybersecurity championship that brought together 12 teams of students and members of the professional cybersecurity community of the Kharkiv region.
The competition was held in the Capture the Flag (CTF) format. Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics served as a co-organizer and the technological venue for the championship. Throughout the day, participants worked at the NURE ICE BOX cyber range, investigating simulated cyber incidents, analysing files and network traffic, identifying vulnerabilities, and searching for hidden “flags”.
The event was organized jointly with cybersecurity specialists of the Security Service of Ukraine Office in the Kharkiv Region and the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, with the support of the Cybersecurity Situation Center of the Security Service of Ukraine and technology partner A42.
The championship was attended by Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, and Vitalii Lavrov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization. The event was also joined by Donatos Piskun, Head of the Regional Development Committee of the Ukrainian Technology Sports Federation, and Kyryl Tkachov, Chief CTF Judge of the Ukrainian Technology Sports Federation.
Oleh Syniehubov emphasized that under wartime conditions, cybersecurity directly affects the ability of the state to ensure the continuous operation of critical services. He highlighted the importance of training qualified professionals and engaging young people in cybersecurity as an essential contribution to Ukraine’s resilience.
NURE Rector Ihor Ruban welcomed the participants and noted that the University considers it important to contribute to the training of a new generation of cybersecurity professionals and to create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in practice. Competitions of this kind allow young specialists to test their professional skills, learn from experienced practitioners, and become part of the community working to protect Ukraine’s digital infrastructure. For this reason, NURE continues to develop its technological infrastructure and strengthen partnerships that create new opportunities for students’ professional growth.
NURE students represented the University with distinction. The THxISP team, which included three NURE students, took 4th place. The NURE Root Knights team finished 5th, while the Cyber Hunter team entered the TOP 10.
The Root Knights team also received an internship certificate from A42, the technology partner of the championship. This opportunity will allow the students to strengthen their practical skills and gain professional experience alongside cybersecurity specialists.
We thank the Security Service of Ukraine Office in the Kharkiv Region and the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration for jointly organizing the championship, as well as the Cybersecurity Situation Center of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Technology Sports Federation, and technology partner A42 for their cooperation and support of young cybersecurity professionals.
NURE is proud of its students and of the University team that ensured the successful organization of the competition at the NURE ICE BOX cyber range.
NURE continues to create an environment where education, technology, and professional partnerships contribute to the development of cybersecurity and Ukraine’s cyber resilience.
