(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukraine’s former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, has confirmed that his direct communication channel with tech billionaire Elon Musk remains open, describing the relationship as crucial for maintaining Starlink connectivity for the country’s war effort.
In his first interview for an international audience since his dismissal from government, Fedorov spoke with independent journalist Caolan Robertson to address the political turmoil in Kyiv and his future role in the nation’s defence.
The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has been fundamentally reshaped by drone technology. Armies are being rebuilt around rapidly evolving unmanned systems, where a technological advantage can become obsolete in weeks. Fedorov was a central figure in driving this transformation.
His sudden removal from office came as Ukraine was conducting ambitious technological operations against Russia, sparking widespread speculation about his relationship with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his future plans. Commentators questioned whether he would leave the public sector, join a private defence firm, or move abroad.
Fedorov indicated he is not leaving Ukraine. He intends to remain involved in the country’s military transformation, leveraging the team and experience he has built. He framed this commitment as a personal mission to defeat Russia through innovation.
“The key to how to defeat Russia in every technological cycle, we have found it,” Fedorov stated in the interview. “And we can use this for further success, no matter where I will be, or who will be the defence minister. This is the achievement of the entire Ukrainian people.”
Regarding his relationship with Musk, Fedorov confirmed that communication channels are still active. He noted that this working relationship, which has lasted over four years, has been instrumental in solving significant problems, even in ideologically complex situations. He expressed hope that this line of communication will continue to help Ukraine receive new technologies.
This confirmation is particularly significant given Musk’s immense influence through SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet constellation. Maintaining terminal functionality, communication with the company, and managing access issues has tangible consequences on the battlefield, where Starlink serves as a critical communications backbone for Ukrainian forces.
Fedorov also addressed the future of warfare, predicting a new stage defined by total robotic combat. He explained that reaching the first line of the front now takes 7 to 12 days due to drone saturation. He anticipates a battlefield where autonomous drones fight autonomous drones.
“It will be a war of robots against robots, controlled by people who form certain operations and constantly improve the software,” Fedorov said. He added that the goal is to replace personnel on the first line of defence with technology, sensors, and robots to break Russia’s capacity to wage war.
The former official was critical of some NATO partners, noting that just two to three years ago, many did not understand the new reality of drone warfare. He said they questioned Ukraine’s investment in drones but that today, all key partners understand the situation is different.
“Ukraine is, in essence, writing the doctrine for a new global security system,” Fedorov asserted, one built on cheap, autonomous technologies that can protect even a small country from a major threat. He believes Ukraine is positioned to become a key global supplier of defence technology after the war.
When asked about internal political challenges, Fedorov acknowledged that Ukraine’s own system can sometimes be its biggest enemy. However, he expressed confidence in the nation’s ability to overcome these hurdles, viewing them as stages to be solved quickly rather than barriers to victory.
“People had their hope taken away, and that is the worst thing you can do to your people,” he said, reflecting on recent public protests in Kyiv. “Ukrainians are taking to the streets because they want to understand how decisions are made in the state. But the presence of protests is a sign that Ukraine has a civil society, has democracy, and has the values we are fighting for.”
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