Why a top Ukrainian drone maker just appointed Mike Pompeo amid an anti-corruption probe

Ukrainian drone firm Fire Point names Mike Pompeo to its advisory board as anti-corruption agencies investigate pricing.

When one of Ukraine’s most prominent drone and missile manufacturers found itself under the eye of anti-corruption investigators, it reached for a high-profile name to reinforce its governance. On Monday, Fire Point, the company behind the FP-1 drone used in long-range strikes on Russia, announced that former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would join its newly formed advisory board, according to a report by Reuters.

The move signals two things simultaneously: Kyiv’s efforts to professionalise its fast-expanding defence sector, and the pressure the country faces to tighten oversight as it seeks deeper Western military and financial support.

The core news: Pompeo joins governance board amid probe

According to Reuters, Fire Point said the appointment was part of an effort to “align our governance framework with leading international standards.” Pompeo served as Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021.

The timing is notable. Fire Point is currently being investigated by Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies over alleged inflated pricing, local newspaper The Kyiv Independent reported. The company did not mention the probe in its official statement but said Pompeo’s 'strategic insights' would support its governance strengthening efforts.

Why Fire Point matters in Ukraine’s defence playbook

Fire Point is not an obscure contractor. Its FP-1 drone has become one of Kyiv’s key tools for long-range strikes inside Russia, a capability Ukraine has increasingly leaned on as the war enters its fourth year.

The company has also developed the Flamingo cruise missile, which Ukraine hopes to expand as part of its broader push to build a sustainable domestic arms industry.

Fire Point’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders. Reuters reported that Denmark’s defence minister said the firm plans to set up a rocket-fuel factory in Denmark in the coming months, a step that signals Europe’s growing integration into Ukraine’s defence industrial base.

The governance challenge at the heart of Ukraine’s war effort

Kyiv’s anti-corruption drive is not simply a domestic political priority, it is central to its bid for European Union membership and to sustaining Western military assistance.

Ukraine’s defence industry is expanding rapidly as the country looks to produce more of its own drones, ammunition and strike systems. With that growth comes scrutiny from foreign governments, donors and watchdogs.

Fire Point’s decision to bring in Pompeo fits into that context: a signal to allies that the company is serious about oversight, transparency and international compliance, even as investigations continue.