Strategic vectors for the development of the intellectual potential of the black sea region under martial law

It is important to reduce regional intellectual potential to a set of static indicators. Its nature is complex: we are talking about the totality of resources and capabilities transformed into the territory’s long-term development. This very “intermediate” role between obvious knowledge, personnel, investigations, and already capitalized results creates the potential to be sensitive to external shocks. Military actions in modern Ukraine destroyed the primary mechanisms for creating this potential. Infrastructure costs, the relocation of assets and enterprises, and the loss of qualified accountants have widened the gap between regions within the macro-region. In such a situation, however, no single strategic recipe will have a strong effect. An approach is needed that derives priorities from the real dynamics of the Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson regions and from their world-class level of innovation and digital maturity. This article highlights the importance of strategic vectors for developing the Black Sea region’s intellectual potential in the military mind, based on an analysis of its dynamics and an assessment of the territory’s innovative digital maturity. Results. The analysis shows that, during the war, the Black Sea region’s importance has declined in terms of developing intellectual potential. Odessa region has reached a sufficient level of maturity (Iicm = 0.660), Mykolayivska has reached a sufficient level of maturity (0.347), and Khersonska has fallen into the critical zone (0.020). It is indicated that Varto’s strategic vectors will not be a single template, but rather a set of advanced technological priorities with different accents for the skin area; it is important to show the dynamics of the potential that structure Iicm. It is stated that the basis of the strategic development of the intellectual potential of the regions is the formation of human resources through the introduction of new active mechanisms for supporting successors. The Kherson region lacks renewal of basic minds; Mykolayivska aims to combine process flow and project management through digitalization; Odesa aims to scale up technology transfer and venture mechanisms. In all cases, the critical mind is at the forefront of universities, business, and communities. Further research will focus entirely on regular monitoring of Iicm and on a practical revision of the organizational and management model.