Ousted Ukrainian defense chief takes advisory post with Italy

Mykhailo Fedorov, the Ukrainian official dismissed as defense minister in July, has accepted a position as advisor on defense innovation to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, according to Politico Europe and Le Monde. Fedorov's appointment marks a significant pivot for the 36-year-old technocrat, who faced a dramatic break with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy weeks before his removal from office.

Fedorov's dismissal prompted thousands of Ukrainians to protest in Kyiv and other cities, according to Le Monde. His tenure had been marked by efforts to modernise Ukraine's military procurement and defence systems during the ongoing war with Russia. The exact terms of his new advisory role remain unclear, though his expertise in defence technology and innovation will inform Italy's defence policy as the country navigates European security challenges.

Italy's Defence Ministry, led by Crosetto, has increasingly positioned itself as a hub for military modernisation and NATO coordination in southern Europe. Fedorov's appointment reflects broader European efforts to draw on Ukrainian military expertise and experience as the continent reassesses its defence posture. The move also underscores Italy's role in NATO's eastern flank strategy, with Turin's aerospace and defence sectors already integral to European military-industrial cooperation.