Former Ukrainian defence chief heads to US to seek funding for tech projects
Ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov plans a visit to the United States to attract investment for new defence-technology initiatives and a startup fund.
Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed as Ukraine's defence minister in July, intends to travel to the United States to raise capital for a portfolio of defence-technology programmes and a fund aimed at Ukrainian startups. According to a source familiar with his plans, the trip will focus on project launches rather than political lobbying or meetings with US officials. Fedorov, a vocal advocate of drone warfare and other modern combat tools since Russia's 2022 invasion, has longstanding links with American companies including SpaceX and Palantir.
His earlier personal appeal to SpaceX owner Elon Musk helped secure the activation of Starlink satellite internet across Ukraine at the war's outset. While discussions with Musk about Starlink continue, no direct meeting is currently arranged. The former minister's push for wartime elections, which the constitution bars, sparked protests that have since subsided.
Why it matters
The trip could channel US private capital into Ukraine's defence innovation and support its wartime economy.
How this story developed
- Aug 11 Zelenskiy says Ukraine submitted peace proposals to US negotiators amid looming Russian election
- Aug 17 Russia is reportedly preparing a large‑scale mobilisation ahead of its parliamentary election.
- Aug 17 Former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged Ukraine to hold elections during the war, warning of a systemic governance crisis.
- Aug 17 A court in Pskov sentenced opposition figure Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month for publicly denigrating the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine.
- Aug 17 Ukrainian energy facilities were hit repeatedly, sustaining serious damage.
- Aug 17 The Supreme Court confirmed the ban on Yabloko’s participation in the September parliamentary vote.
- Aug 18 Moscow warned London it would face consequences after reports that British-built drones were employed by Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia.
- Aug 18 Russian missiles struck a sports centre in Kyiv, killing a border officer and injuring over 100 people.
- Aug 19 President Zelenskyy appointed Yevhenii Khmara as acting defence minister after Fedorov’s removal.
- Aug 20 Russian ballistic missiles hit Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding around 20, while also causing power outages.
- Aug 20 Parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister.
- Aug 20 Parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as defence minister and protests over Fedorov’s election call dwindled to a few dozen participants.
- Aug 21 A chief economist at a major state bank was dismissed after warning about the war’s economic costs.
- Aug 21 The United Kingdom announced a plan to supply 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026.
In this story
Related stories
18 in this thread