Current Affairs

Mikhailo Fedorov: who is the former Ukrainian minister chosen by Crosetto to head the Italian Ministry of Defence? Tensions with Zelensky

From Ukraine’s digitalisation to the drone war. The former minister will act as an adviser to Guido Crosetto on military innovation, unmanned systems and air defence. Corruption allegations against figures close to President Zelensky and calls for new elections

by Rome Editorial Staff

29 August 2026

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FILE - Il ministro della Difesa ucraino Mykhailo Fedorov parla ai giornalisti durante una conferenza stampa congiunta con il ministro della Difesa svedese Pal Jonson a Kiev, in Ucraina, mercoledì 1 luglio 2026. (Foto AP/Efrem Lukatsky, archivio) Associated Press/ LaPresse Solo Italia e Spagna APN

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Mykhailo Fedorov brings to the Italian Ministry of Defence the experience gained by Ukraine in the technological war against Russia. The former Defence Minister of Kyiv has been appointed by Guido Crosetto as an adviser on innovation, with a focus on drones, unmanned systems and air defence. The consultancy role, his press officer told the Financial Times, will be on a pro bono basis. Fedorov will, in fact, ‘continue to live and work in Kyiv’.

Born in 1991, Fedorov is one of the leading figures in the digital transformation undertaken by Ukraine during Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency. First in public administration, then on the battlefield. He recently left Zelensky’s government and levelled direct allegations of corruption against men linked to the Ukrainian Prime Minister.

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Who is Mykhailo Fedorov

Born in Vasylivka, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Fedorov entered politics from the digital sector. In 2019, he took part in Zelensky’s presidential campaign and, at the age of 28, joined the government as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Transformation.

His name is primarily associated with Diia, the platform through which Ukraine has brought an increasing number of public services – from documents to administrative procedures – onto smartphones. The aim is to reduce bureaucracy, processing times and the need for intermediaries. It is a model that Fedorov will subsequently attempt to apply to the military as well.

Fedorov and the drone war in Ukraine

With the Russian invasion in February 2022, his role changed. Technology became a tool of war. Fedorov is one of the key figures behind the roll-out of Starlink in Ukraine and advocates for the creation of an ecosystem based on drones, software, digital systems, artificial intelligence and collaboration between the armed forces, businesses and start-ups.

The principle is simple: to minimise the gap between the problem identified in the field and the technological solution. The systems are developed, tested in operational conditions and modified in line with feedback from the military. This cycle is much faster than traditional processes for the development and procurement of military technologies.

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Why Crosetto chose Fedorov

Now that experience is coming to Italia. Crosetto is focusing above all on the expertise Ukraine has developed in defence-tech: drones, autonomous systems, air defence and the ability to rapidly transform a technological project into a tool that can be used on the ground. Fedorov’s approach therefore goes beyond individual weapon systems. At its heart lies the methodology: reducing the time between testing, production and operational use, and forging a closer relationship between industry, technological innovation and the armed forces.

However, the Ukrainian model cannot simply be transferred to Italia. It was developed during a high-intensity war, under conditions that demand speed and allow for levels of experimentation and risk that would be difficult to replicate in a NATO country during peacetime.

The challenge for the Italian Defence Ministry will therefore be to identify which elements of that model can be adapted to the national system. Starting, in particular, with drones, unmanned systems and air defence.

Corruption in Ukraine

Since leaving the government, Fedorov has stepped up the confrontation on the issue of corruption as well. This refers in particular to the new investigations that have reached individuals close to President Zelensky’s office. In August 2026, NABU (Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau) and the public prosecutor’s office alleged the existence of a money-laundering scheme involving approximately 150 million hryvnias, over 3 million dollars, which were allegedly used to pay the bail of former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, who was already implicated in the ‘Midas’ investigation into corruption in the energy sector. Among those under investigation were also officials from the President’s Office. Fedorov also called for new elections, but without success, even amongst his own supporters.