Italy appoints Ukraine's Mykhailo Fedorov to lead high tech defence strategy

Rome— Italy has appointed Ukrainian technology strategist Mykhailo Fedorov as a special adviser to the Ministry of Defence, marking a significant step in Rome's effort to modernise its armed forces through battlefield proven technologies developed during Ukraine's war against Russia.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced the appointment following talks with Fedorov in Rome, describing the collaboration as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Italy's industrial and technological capabilities in response to rapidly evolving security threats. The focus will be on drones, air defence systems and autonomous military technologies that have transformed modern warfare.

Fedorov, who became one of the architects of Ukraine's digital military revolution, resigned from the Ukrainian government in July after a bitter political dispute with the country's leadership. Although his departure sparked controversy, he remains highly regarded by many Ukrainians for promoting transparent governance and overseeing the rapid expansion of domestic drone production and defence innovation.

“The changing nature of conflicts requires increasingly efficient development and production processes, combining technological excellence with industrial capacity and rapid response,” Crosetto said.

Fedorov has argued that Ukraine's wartime experience can serve as a model for Europe, saying that “Ukraine's experience can become the foundation of a new European defence model.”

His appointment comes as European governments confront growing hybrid threats alongside conventional military risks. Recent incidents in Germany, including explosive laden drones discovered near Leipzig Airport and another unmanned aircraft forcing the diversion of a cargo plane approaching Hanover, have heightened concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity has also become a central front. Britain recently suffered a major cyber attack that disrupted operations at a power facility, while a separate ransomware attack compromised the personal data of 8.7 million customers linked to Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports. Berlin has likewise confirmed a significant data breach, with hackers demanding a €2 million ransom in Bitcoin.

For Italy, recruiting one of Ukraine's leading technology figures signals a strategic shift towards integrating the lessons of the country's wartime innovation into its own defence industry, as Rome seeks to prepare for the increasingly digital and autonomous battlefields of the future.

PS