Mykhailo Fedorov proposes drone technology swap for Patriot missiles

Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Ukrainian Defense Minister, has proposed a technology swap with the United States: assisting Washington in building a large-scale fleet of attack drones in exchange for Patriot interceptor missiles. Fedorov made the proposal during an interview in Washington, noting that Ukraine urgently requires these interceptors to defend against Russian ballistic missile strikes during the upcoming winter.

Fedorov currently holds no official government position in Kyiv following his removal by President Volodymyr Zelensky, though he recently accepted an unpaid advisory role with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. While he cannot negotiate on behalf of the Ukrainian government, he is in Washington to raise American capital for a new defense technology investment fund. This fund aims to support companies developing battlefield robotics, high-speed jet-powered interceptors, and AI-guided missiles.