New Strategic Advisors Join Ukraine's Defense Ministry
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has appointed new advisors to bolster its international and technological capabilities. Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, who assumed his role on January 14, 2026, has selected Valeria Ionan as an advisor for international projects. Ionan brings over six years of experience from the Ministry of Digital Transformation, where she coordinated international initiatives and partnerships with tech companies. Her background includes leading major national projects and overseeing regional digitalization and European integration efforts.
Ionan's previous work involved the Tallinn Mechanism, which secured 241.7 million euros to strengthen Ukraine's cyber resilience. She also initiated the launch of the world's second GovTech Centre in Kyiv, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. In a separate appointment, the Ministry named Serhiy Sternenko as an advisor focused on increasing the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the front lines.
Focus on Strengthening International Partnerships
Minister Fedorov has emphasized the critical need to expand international military aid and build long-term strategic alliances. His team is currently auditing existing international projects and working to forge new partnerships. Fedorov believes that integrating partners and their scientific expertise will significantly strengthen Ukraine's defense system. These appointments reflect the Ukrainian government's strategy to enhance national defense through international cooperation and targeted investment.
'The President has done historic work in attracting international resources. Our task is to use them with maximum efficiency. That is why our current focus is on providing systematic international support for the country's defense projects.' Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine
Valeria Ionan's expertise in digital technology and international collaboration is seen as a key asset for implementing new defense projects, particularly in boosting cybersecurity and deploying advanced technologies at the front. The appointment of Serhiy Sternenko further underscores the growing importance of modern technology, such as drones, in Ukraine's military operations. These moves come as Ukraine continues to seek innovative solutions and robust international backing for its defense efforts.