Mykhailo Fedorov accepts Italy defence adviser job

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's ousted defence minister, said on Friday, Aug. 28, that he had accepted a job as an adviser to Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on defence innovation.

Fedorov said he would help Italy develop technologies for modern warfare, improve its defence sector and adapt to new security challenges. His press office said he would continue living and working in Kyiv while carrying out the role.

Italy's defence ministry said the announcement was an important opportunity for Italy and said Fedorov would serve as Innovation Advisor. The ministry said Italy welcomed engagement with partners who had gained experience in autonomous systems and air defence.

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

Fedorov, 35, was dismissed as Ukraine's defence minister in July after reports of tensions between him and the country's military leadership. His removal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prompted thousands to protest across Ukraine, many of whom called for him to be reinstated.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine's presidential administration.

Fedorov had been a longtime Zelensky ally, having worked with the president since he took office in 2019. Relations between the two soured after the dismissal, and Fedorov earlier this month called for Ukraine to hold elections that had been postponed since Russia invaded in 2022. Zelensky rejected the proposal as risky and divisive.