Ukraine's ousted defence chief joins Italy as strategic adviser

Ukraine's ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has accepted an advisory role with Italy's defence ministry, according to the New York Times. Fedorov, who was fired last month—a decision that prompted rare wartime protests in Kyiv—will advise on military innovation and drone strategy, areas where he earned a reputation as a moderniser in the Ukrainian armed forces. The appointment reflects how other NATO and allied militaries are racing to adapt to the tactical and technological changes accelerated by the war in Ukraine.

The New York Times framed the hire as part of a broader Western scramble to understand and absorb lessons from the conflict. Fedorov's expertise in drone warfare and military adaptation makes him a valuable asset to Rome, particularly as Italy weighs its posture on defence spending and technological readiness within NATO and the European Union. The move also signals Rome's confidence in drawing Ukrainian military talent into advisory roles, a practice that underscores the gravitational pull of the war in shaping European defence thinking.