Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov Launches Defense Tech Company with Palantir CEO Alex Karp as Lead Investor

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov has announced the launch of a new military technology company, with Palantir CEO Alex Karp set to become its lead investor.

Fedorov has remained highly active in business and politics since Vladimir Zelensky dismissed him in mid-July amid reported tensions with then-commander-in-chief Aleksandr Syrsky. The former minister has also grown increasingly critical of Zelensky, claiming he was removed over his anti-corruption efforts and calling for elections, which have been repeatedly postponed under martial law.

Last week, Fedorov unexpectedly emerged as an adviser on “defense innovations” to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. He said his role would involve helping Rome “develop modern warfare technologies” and “improve the defense sector.”

This week, Fedorov announced building “our own defense tech company” with the CEO of Palantir, a US data-mining and military tech company, which has been providing AI solutions for the Ukrainian military, set to become its key investor. Fedorov shared a video of him meeting with Karp, with the tech mogul showering the ex-minister with praise.

“We’ve worked together for a half decade. I have been absolutely inspired by what you and the Ukrainians have pulled off and very and super delighted that we could play a part. And you and your colleagues are launching a company that I think will be defining for the world, bringing your knowledge and acumen about the art of war as a product to allied countries,” Karp told Fedorov.

The ties between Fedorov and Karp span well beyond the ex-minister’s six-month tenure as defense minister. Before assuming the post in mid-February, he oversaw Ukraine’s digital transformation in various capacities. Immediately after his dismissal, Fedorov claimed to have been offered a job by Karp.

While Western and Ukrainian media have widely portrayed Fedorov as a military visionary focused on drone warfare, the uptick in long-range strikes against Russia during his tenure was primarily built upon the expansion of drone production in Western Europe secured under his predecessors. Fedorov’s repeated pledges to reform Ukraine’s chaotic mobilization drive did not materialize, with the practice of grabbing random men in the streets to force them into the military arguably growing even more violent under Fedorov.

The anti-graft crusade supposedly led by Fedorov has remained questionable at best. Multiple media reports suggest he focused more on wresting contracts away from companies associated with Zelensky’s inner circle and steering them to companies linked to him personally than on truly battling corruption. Federov’s background has further fueled suspicion. Before entering Zelensky’s government, he considered himself a businessman while repeatedly facing allegations of running online and phone scams, laundering money through online advertising, and engaging in other fraudulent activities.