Ousted Ukraine defence chief becomes adviser to Italian minister

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Ukraine’s ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov — whose sacking last month prompted rare wartime protests — on Friday said he had accepted a job working as an adviser to Italy’s defence minister.

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Fedorov, a tech-savvy 35-year-old, was dismissed as defence minister in July after reports of ructions between him and the country’s military leadership.

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His sacking by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prompted thousands to protest across Ukraine, many of whom called for him to be reinstated to the role.

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Fedorov said Friday he had agreed to become “advisor on defence innovation” to Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, six weeks after his dismissal.

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“In this role, I will help Italy develop technologies for modern warfare, improve its defence sector, and adapt to the world’s new security challenges,” Fedorov said.

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Crosetto told Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper in July that he had offered Fedorov the job.

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Fedorov will continue living and working in Kyiv for the role, his press office said.

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There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian presidential administration.

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The Italian defence ministry in a statement said the announcement was “an important opportunity” for Italy and said he would serve as “Innovation Advisor”.

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The statement said Italy welcomed “engagement with partners who have gained significant experience in the field, especially in autonomous systems and air defence”.

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Fedorov had been a longtime Zelensky ally, having worked with the president since he took office in 2019.

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Relations between the two soured after his sacking, with Fedorov earlier this month calling for Ukraine to hold elections that had been postponed since Russia invaded in 2022.

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Zelensky rejected the proposal as risky and divisive.

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AFP

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