She tours major international defence shows, negotiates with arms manufacturers and takes part in discussions on Europe’s rearmament.
At 34, Iryna Terekh, an architect by training, heads Fire Point, a company that has become one of the driving forces behind Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities in the war with Russia.
With her long hair tied back in a ponytail, a white top, beige jacket and wide-legged jeans, she stands out in an industry dominated by men in suits.
She met with Agence France-Presse away from the exhibition halls at this week’s Farnborough International Airshow in the UK for an interview in Mayfair, central London.
A month after attracting attention at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in France – where Fire Point repeatedly screened footage of an oil refinery near Moscow engulfed in flames after being hit by one of its drones – the company opted not to exhibit in Britain.
“The next step has to be even better,” Terekh said, explaining she wants Fire Point’s next public appearance to make a big impact.