in Palermo
Russia has described as “ridiculous” the Italian government’s decision to appoint Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov as the country’s innovation adviser at the defence ministry.
“This is a perfect example of how western countries use Ukraine and Ukrainians,” said the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova.
“While ordinary citizens are being mobilised and sent to the trenches in Ukraine to face certain death, the managers of the Kyiv regime are turning military defeats into personal international contracts – and they are not ashamed of it.”
Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, disclosed the offer shortly after Fedorov was dismissed in July, praising him as a driving force behind military innovation who had helped Ukraine regain the initiative in its war against Russia.
“I understand that they would prefer decisions concerning Italy to be taken by someone who checks with Moscow first, but for the time being that is still not the case,” Crosetto told Ansa in response. “We make decisions thinking only about Rome, not Moscow, Kyiv or Washington.”
Fedorov, 35, was fired six months after his appointment, having initiated reforms around procurement and mobilisation that put him on a collision course with the military establishment and political rivals.
In a post on X, Fedorov thanked Crosetto for “his personal support” and for the offer to serve as his adviser.
“In this role, I will assist Italy in adopting modern warfare technologies, enhancing its defence sector, and adapting to emerging global security challenges,” he said.