Zelenskyy appointed Sergei “Flash” Beskrestnov as a special advisor
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov as a special advisor to the president on the development of defense technology sectors. The corresponding decree has been published on the website of the Office of the President, according to “Ukrainska Pravda.”
The decree states: “To appoint Serhiy Oleksandrovych Beskrestnov as Advisor to the President of Ukraine on the development of defense technology (non-staff position).”
Earlier, Zelenskyy reported on a meeting with Beskrestnov, during which they discussed current technological aspects of defense. The president stated that technology “saves the lives of our soldiers and brings this war back home—to Russia.” According to him, it is also important to respond promptly to military innovations by the aggressor’s army, following the principle: “We know the details, so we can counter them effectively.”
Zelenskyy added that he had agreed with Sergey Beskrestnov to cooperate as fully as possible, and said, “Solutions will be found.”
Beskrestnov himself reported that the president had offered him a position in the new Ministry of Defense lineup, but he declined. He explained that he had joined the Ministry of Defense at the invitation of Mykhailo Fedorov as his personal advisor and could not remain there without him for moral reasons.
“Flash” noted that he would continue to assist Fedorov as much as possible in matters of national defense. At the same time, he stated that he could not stand idly by during the war, and that the position of presidential adviser gives him the opportunities and authority to strengthen defense capabilities at the highest level. According to him, this is not about politics but rather an opportunity to influence technological processes in the defense sector, particularly not only within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In January, Beskrestnov became an advisor to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on technological matters. Later, he and Serhiy Sternenko announced that they were no longer advisors to the defense minister.
