Mykhailo Fedorov’s name is the primary such demand by a significant Ukrainian political determine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Revealed On 19 Aug 2026
Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has referred to as for wartime elections within the greatest inside problem President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confronted since Russia’s full-scale invasion started in 2022.
In a bombshell tackle posted on YouTube on Tuesday, Fedorov mentioned democracy in Ukraine “can’t be held hostage by Russia”.
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He mentioned the nation wants to seek out “a authorized, protected and practical mechanism” to restart its full democratic course of “even within the circumstances of an extended warfare”.
Ukrainian legislation at present bars elections throughout wartime, and no main political determine has publicly pushed again on that because the invasion started in 2022.
The 35-year-old Fedorov was a longtime ally of Zelenskyy’s till his sudden firing from the Defence Ministry in July, simply six months after his appointment.
The dismissal sparked protests throughout the nation.
Throughout his transient tenure, Fedorov had constructed a status as a reformer prepared to publicly problem the navy institution, a profile that has since fuelled hypothesis over whether or not he might emerge as a real political rival to Zelenskyy.
His removing is extensively believed to have adopted pressure with armed forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskii, who was himself changed weeks later after sustained public strain and weeks of demonstrations calling for Fedorov’s reinstatement.
Fedorov used the video to argue that Ukraine is dealing with a “systemic disaster of governance”, describing establishments which might be “petrified of change” and pointing to corruption as an element undermining the nation’s warfare effort, although he didn’t point out Zelenskyy by identify.
Fedorov’s name for elections is the primary such demand by a significant Ukrainian political determine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The president’s workplace has but to challenge an announcement on Fedorov’s newest remarks.
Zelenskyy’s time period resulted in Might 2024, however the nation has postponed its presidential election as a consequence of persevering with martial legislation.
Zelenskyy has since put in Yevhenii Khmara, a profession intelligence official with a low public profile, as performing defence minister.
Fedorov was reportedly supplied different roles in authorities, together with deputy prime minister for navy innovation, however has mentioned he would solely return as defence minister.
Hours forward of Fedorov’s tackle, Zelenskyy confirmed he had requested parliament to verify Khmara in workplace on Wednesday.
Protests in help of Fedorov have continued for the previous month, dropping a few of their early momentum however nonetheless repeatedly drawing a pair thousand attendees in Kyiv.
