Ousted Ukraine Defence Chief Joins Italian Defence Ministry

Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed as Ukraine's defence minister in July 2023, has accepted a position as an adviser on defence innovation to Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. His sacking by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky led to significant protests across Ukraine, with many citizens calling for his reinstatement.

Fedorov, a 35-year-old tech-savvy individual, stated that he would assist Italy in developing technologies for modern warfare and adapting to new security challenges. He will continue to live and work in Kyiv while serving in this role.

The Italian Defence Ministry described the appointment as an important opportunity, emphasizing the value of engaging with partners experienced in areas such as autonomous systems and air defence. Fedorov had been a close ally of Zelensky since 2019, but their relationship deteriorated after his dismissal, particularly following Fedorov's call for postponed elections in Ukraine, which Zelensky deemed risky.