US ex-secretary of state joins Ukraine’s defence firm Fire Point's advisory board

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the advisory board of Fire Point, Ukraine’s leading defence company known for producing long-range drones capable of penetrating deep into Russian territory, even as the firm remains under an active corruption investigation.

Seeking to bolster its international credibility, Fire Point is opening a new factory in Denmark and recruiting high-profile figures from the global defence sector. The company also plans to scale up production of its battle-tested cruise missiles, aiming to more than double current output, The Independent writes. 

But the expansion comes amid heightened public scrutiny. Fire Point is at the center of a long-running corruption probe focused on its origins, the opaque nature of its exclusive contracts with Ukraine’s Defence Ministry, and alleged ties to Tymur Mindich — a controversial associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who has been implicated in a major corruption scandal.

Company leaders say they have “nothing to hide” and emphasise that operations continue under strict martial law procedures. They have commissioned an international audit to reassure investigators and the public.

“In general it’s good they are working on this,” said Iryna Terekh, Fire Point’s chief technology officer, referring to the investigation. “We completely support, as a company, the fact that this investigation is happening.”

Terekh said Fire Point has hired a major international firm to conduct an independent audit of pricing and production processes. The anti-corruption investigation — launched a year ago by watchdog groups — remains ongoing. 

“We will be waiting for the results to come,” she said.

By Sabina Mammadli