According to reports by the European edition of Politico News Network and Reuters on the 28th, Italy's Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that Mikhail Fedorov, the former defense minister of Ukraine who was dismissed in July this year, has accepted an invitation to serve as a consultant for innovation at the Ministry of Defense.
On that day, Italian Defense Minister Croceo met with Fedorov, and after the meeting, they issued a statement stating that Fedorov has extensive experience in digital innovations in public management and defense sectors. The meeting discussed topics such as drones, unmanned systems, and air defense, as well as the development and evolution of technology ecosystems.
He said, “In an era where rapid and unprecedented changes have become the norm, it is crucial to seek opportunities for dialogue and exchange of experiences. Therefore, I am pleased that Mr. Fedorov has accepted the invitation to work as a defense innovation advisor.”
Federov also announced on social media platform X the discovery of a new job that day, expressing gratitude to Crosteto. "In this position, I will help Italy adopt modern warfare technologies, enhance its defense capabilities, and address the ever-evolving global security challenges."
He also said, “Ukraine and our team have unique practical experience in the field of high-tech warfare. We are eager to share this experience with our allies. At the same time, my primary task remains unchanged: I will continue to carry out core projects in Ukraine in order to strengthen our defense and attract international resources.”
According to a member of Fedorov’s team, while serving as a consultant, Fedorov will still focus his main efforts on establishing a defense investment fund in Ukraine.
After Fedorov was dismissed in July, Kroseto offered him a job offer soon after. Kroseto praised Fedorov as a driving force behind military innovation, saying that he helped Ukraine regain control of the war against Russia. The 35-year-old Fedorov is a technocratic reformer. Supporters believe that he has improved Ukraine's drone capabilities and promoted several reforms within the defense sector.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said at a party meeting for "People's Servants" that Fedorov has major problems in military procurement. His team operates independently from the Ministry of Defense, and there is a lack of coordination, especially in areas such as drones and artillery.
On August 22nd local time, Zelenskyy mentioned the dismissal of Fedorov during a press conference. Speaking about the differences between the two, Zelenskyy said that he had always had a “very positive attitude” towards Fedorov, but Fedorov “went down the wrong path, or was pushed into the wrong direction.” Zelenskyy also said that he had proposed four options to Fedorov for continuing his role in the government, but all of them were rejected by Fedorov.
