The state in a smartphone initiative aimed to migrate every government service to an online portal, with the goal of providing twenty percent of all administrative tasks automatically. Mykhailo Fedorov, born in Vasylivka on January 21, 1991, spearheaded this digital transition during his tenure as Minister of Digital Transformation, a post he held from 2019 until 2026.
Early Career and Legislative Entry
Fedorov attended Zaporizhzhia National University. In 2012, he served as a student mayor of Zaporizhzhia. His initial foray into national politics occurred during the 2014 parliamentary election as a candidate for the 5.10 party, which failed to meet the five percent threshold. Following the 2019 presidential victory of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Fedorov served as a presidential advisor before successfully winning a seat in the 9th Verkhovna Rada as a member of the Servant of the People party.
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Appointed Minister of Digital Transformation in August 2019, Fedorov prioritized public-private partnerships and international technical assistance to circumvent state budget constraints. In March 2023, the Verkhovna Rada expanded his mandate to include responsibility for innovation, education, science, and technology. He also served as First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine from July 2025 to January 2026 within the government led by Yulia Svyrydenko.
Defence Ministry and Operational Reforms
On January 14, 2026, Fedorov became the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. Facing reports of two hundred thousand soldiers having gone AWOL and widespread evasion, he implemented competitive procurement processes and internal audits. These measures identified substantial overspending within the defence sector and achieved a sixteen percent reduction in the costs of artillery shells. His tenure also saw the introduction of a soldiers' reform package that increased frontline infantry pay and established fixed-term contracts.
The Air Land Economy Strategy
Fedorov introduced a strategic framework titled Air Land Economy, designed to manage air defense, ground deterrence, and economic strain on the adversary. His air defense initiatives included mobile fire groups and an experimental private enterprise network. Between February and April 2026, his office oversaw the construction of over 1,170 kilometers of anti-drone net protection. Additionally, he coordinated with SpaceX to implement a terminal verification system for Starlink, effectively deactivating service for unauthorized users.
Fast facts
- Born: 21 January 1991, Vasylivka
- Education: Zaporizhzhia National University
- Minister of Digital Transformation: 2019–2026
- Minister of Defence: January–July 2026
- Party: Servant of the People
- Award: Order of Merit (Ukraine), 3rd class
Questions readers ask
Did Fedorov serve in the military before becoming Defence Minister?
No. His background is in politics and digital transformation, having served as a student mayor and a parliamentary deputy prior to his cabinet appointments.
What happened to the state in a smartphone project?
The project was launched as a central pillar of his tenure as Minister of Digital Transformation, relying on public-private partnerships and international assistance to automate government services.