Fedorov Reveals His Top Achievement as Defense Minister in Farewell Address

Mykhailo Fedorov Bids Farewell to His Post

According to ХВИЛЯ: In a public farewell message, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reflected on his six-month tenure, highlighting both successes and shortcomings. Among his most notable accomplishments, Fedorov pointed to cutting off Russian access to the Starlink system-a critical move amid the ongoing war. This announcement comes as Ukraine continues to rely heavily on advanced technology to counter Russian aggression.

Key Wins and Lingering Challenges

When Fedorov took over the ministry, it had no allocated budget. Yet within four months, his team procured more drones than in the entire previous year. Drone interception rates improved from 83% to 91% after integrating Pavlo Lazar into the Air Force, while cruise missile interception jumped from 47% to 87%. He also signed the first-ever contract for Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T missiles. Additionally, initial tenders for long-range artillery and hundreds of thousands of drones were launched, generating significant cost savings.

Fedorov underscored the importance of international backing, noting that three Ramstein-format meetings helped secure $40 billion in support pledges for this year. He also mentioned the contract for Gripen fighter jets. On the day of the government’s resignation, successful ballistic missile tests were conducted, achieving maximum precision while cutting costs by 30%. The "Ashan Operation" halted a mechanized enemy offensive for six months, and the "Logistic Lockdown" program disrupted enemy supply lines, beginning the isolation of Crimea.

However, Fedorov acknowledged several setbacks: incomplete restructuring of the Defense Ministry to NATO standards, a partial shift of procurement to tender-based systems, and a lack of a culture of personal accountability. While he reformed the procurement process, he failed to transition all purchases to tenders as planned.

'I will continue working toward the mission I originally brought to the Defense Ministry-defeating the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organizational strength. To be continued.' Mykhailo Fedorov

He concluded by thanking the military, his team, and his family for their support during his tenure.

Fedorov’s resignation occurs amid sweeping changes at the Defense Ministry and mounting demands to bolster the country’s defense capabilities. His achievements in procurement and military modernization highlight the role of international aid and adaptation to modern threats. The question now remains how Ukraine’s defense policy will evolve and whether Fedorov’s successor can build on these initiatives.

As Fedorov reflects on his tenure, it's important to consider the internal dynamics that shaped his leadership. His recent comments shed light on the conflict with military leaders, revealing the complexities he faced while making critical decisions for Ukraine's defense strategy. Understanding these tensions provides deeper insight into the challenges he navigated during his time in office.