Mykhailo Fedorov agreed to become an advisor to the Italian Minister of Defense

Former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov agreed to become an adviser to Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto on defense innovations. He reported this on Facebook after meeting the Italian minister on 28 August 2026.

Fedorov said that together with his team he began an international trip dedicated to launching new projects in the fields of digitalization and defense tech. The first meeting on this trip was with Crosetto.

The first meeting — with Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto. I thanked Guido for his personal support and his offer to make me his adviser on defense innovations. Grateful for the trust and strategic partnership.

As an adviser, Fedorov will help Italy develop modern military technologies, strengthen the defense sector and respond to new security challenges. During the negotiations the parties discussed drones, autonomous systems, air defense and building an ecosystem of defense technologies.

Fedorov particularly emphasized the need for states to rapidly test new technological solutions and scale them in the field of defense.

Ukraine and our team have unique experience of technological warfare, which we are ready to share with partners. At the same time my main focus remains unchanged — I continue to work in Ukraine on projects that strengthen our defense and help attract international resources.

The future of defense belongs to countries that can quickly test and scale new solutions, combining technology with strong production. Ukraine’s experience can become the basis of a new model of defense for Europe.

As early as July, Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto offered the former head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Fedorov the position of his adviser in Rome.

What preceded Fedorov’s dismissal

At the final press conference before his dismissal from the post of defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov spoke of a conflict with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. According to Fedorov, he proposed replacing Syrskyi, as well as Chief of Staff Andrii Hnatov. At the same time, as the ex-minister claimed, the Commander-in-Chief “issued an ultimatum” and “came up with a way to split the country.”

Fedorov also said that open tenders allowed the Ministry of Defense to save about $100 million during the procurement of artillery shells. Also, according to him, the ministry saved billions of dollars on the purchase of drones.

After Fedorov’s dismissal, protests took place in Ukraine. In particular, in Mykolaiv roughly 30 people took part in the action. They held cardboard posters with the inscriptions “The jackals cheated again”, “Vova, there are questions”, “you’re fighting in the wrong place” and “darling, we are killing innovations”.

Later, media began spreading reports about the possible resignation of Oleksandr Syrskyi. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that this information is not true. After publications about the possible replacement of the Commander-in-Chief, commanders of the Defense Forces publicly expressed support for Syrskyi.

In the photo: Mykhailo Fedorov and Italy’s defense minister Guido Crosetto during the meeting 28 August 2026. Photo: FEDOROV/Telegram.

Earlier we wrote:

• Mykhailo Fedorov called to develop a mechanism for holding elections in Ukraine during the war
• Zelensky explained Fedorov’s dismissal by the need to prepare for a harsh winter
• Zaluzhnyi, Fedorov and Budanov surpassed Zelensky in level of trust — poll
• “Until July 24 we are waiting for decisions”: veteran Koziatynskyi called on Ukrainians to take to the streets
• 22 victories and three shortcomings: Fedorov reported and left the Ministry of Defense