Ousted Ukraine defence chief accepts job advising Italian minister

KYIV - Ukraine’s ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov – whose sacking in July prompted rare wartime protests – on Aug 28 said he had accepted a job working as an advisor to Italy’s defence minister.Fedorov, a tech-savvy 35-year-old, was dismissed as defence minister in July after reports of ructions between him and the country’s military leadership.His sacking by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prompted thousands to protest across Ukraine, many of whom called for him to be reinstated to the role.Fedorov said on Aug 28 he had agreed to become “advisor on defence innovation” to Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, six weeks after his dismissal.“In this role, I will help Italy develop technologies for modern warfare, improve its defence sector, and adapt to the world’s new security challenges,” Fedorov said.Crosetto told Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper in July that he had offered Fedorov the job.Fedorov will continue living and working in Kyiv for the role, his press office said.There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian presidential administration.The Italian defence ministry in a statement said the announcement was “an important opportunity” for Italy and said he would serve as “Innovation Advisor”.The statement said Italy welcomed “engagement with partners who have gained significant experience in the field, especially in autonomous systems and air defence”.Fedorov had been a longtime Zelensky ally, having worked with the president since he took office in 2019.Relations between the two soured after his sacking, with Fedorov earlier in August calling for Ukraine to hold elections that had been postponed since Russia invaded in 2022.Zelensky rejected the proposal as risky and divisive. AFP