Ukraine's ousted defense chief takes advisory post with Italy

Mykhailo Fedorov, ousted as Ukraine's defense minister six weeks ago in a dismissal that sparked thousands of protests across Ukraine, has agreed to become advisor on defense innovation to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, according to reporting from Politico Europe and Le Monde. The appointment signals Italy's willingness to deepen defence ties with Kyiv at a moment when European governments are recalibrating their support for Ukraine and their own security postures. Fedorov's move to Rome represents a notable shift for a figure who, until recently, held one of Ukraine's most sensitive national security portfolios.

His firing prompted widespread public outcry in Ukraine, suggesting he retained significant credibility within military and civil society circles despite his dismissal by Zelenskyy. Italy's decision to bring him into an advisory capacity—specifically on defence innovation, a domain where Ukraine has demonstrated rapid technological adaptation during its ongoing conflict—suggests that Rome sees value in Fedorov's expertise and his apparent independence from the current Kyiv administration. The appointment also reflects Italy's broader strategic interest in maintaining dialogue with Ukrainian figures across the political spectrum.