Heroic Former Minister’s Star Falls After New Revelations

Crowds once took to the streets to support dismissed Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, praising his character. Now, many Ukrainians are turning away from him as he conducts business with controversial American AI entrepreneurs and takes advisory roles in other countries.

After it became clear that Fedorov would not return as defense minister in Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government, speculation grew about his next move. He did not want the positions offered to him, prompting questions about whether he might challenge Zelenskyy for the presidency or move abroad. Events have since clarified his direction.

During a trip to Washington in late August, Fedorov launched a new defense technology company and secured its first investment from Palantir, the American AI firm that has previously supplied software to Ukraine’s defense sector. The company’s name and the size of Palantir’s investment remain unknown. Its products are expected to be offered to Ukraine and other countries.

Palantir has drawn attention for its close cooperation with U.S. immigration and border authorities, ICE, which carried out large numbers of deportations during Donald Trump’s presidency. Palantir chief executive and founder Alex Karp, once seen as a progressive entrepreneur, has since aligned himself with Trump. Fedorov has also maintained direct contact with Elon Musk, whose Starlink satellite company has been highly important to Ukraine’s war effort. It is not known whether they met in the United States or whether Fedorov met American politicians there.

In Europe, Fedorov recently became an unexpected adviser to Italy’s Defense Ministry, led by right-wing minister Guido Crosetto of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. He is expected to advise on “innovation and modern warfare in an era of global challenges.” Fedorov also plans to create a defense technology think tank and investment fund, and says he intends to remain in Ukraine. Many Ukrainians now see the former hero as an opportunist. His interviews have added to the backlash, including a call for Ukraine to hold elections during the war, made one day before his successor was approved. Most Ukrainians believe elections during an active war are inappropriate.

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innovation and modern warfare in an era of global challenges