Ousted Ukraine defence chief becomes adviser to Italian minister

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has announced that he will advise Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, according to Suspilne. Fedorov's press service confirmed the appointment to Suspilne on August 28. Fedorov was defense minister from January to July 2022 before being dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, sparking widespread protests across Ukraine.

These demonstrations lasted for over a month, with thousands opposing Zelensky's decision to remove Fedorov. Fedorov's approval ratings rose during this period, leading him to call for a wartime election, which further divided public opinion. Despite this, Fedorov embarked on an international trip focused on digitalization and defense technology advancements.

During his meeting with Crosetto, Fedorov expressed gratitude for the Italian minister's support and outlined his intentions to assist Italy in developing modern warfare technologies, bolstering its defense sector, and adapting to global security challenges. Fedorov also noted that he would continue his work in Ukraine, focusing on projects to enhance defense capabilities and attract international resources.

Topics discussed during the meeting included drones, autonomous systems, air defense, and the expansion of the defense tech ecosystem. Fedorov indicated that he would continue his international engagements, with upcoming discussions with partners to explore digitalization, defense technology, and new project development.