Mykhailo Fedorov’s name is the primary such demand by a significant Ukrainian political determine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Printed On 19 Aug 2026
Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has known as for wartime elections within the greatest inner problem President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confronted since Russia’s full-scale invasion started in 2022.
In a bombshell handle 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, secure and lifelike mechanism” to restart its full democratic course of “even within the situations of an extended warfare”.
Ukrainian legislation at present bars elections throughout wartime, and no main political determine has publicly pushed again on that for the reason that 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 temporary tenure, Fedorov had constructed a repute as a reformer keen to publicly problem the army 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 rigidity with armed forces commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskii, who was himself changed weeks later after sustained public stress and weeks of demonstrations calling for Fedorov’s reinstatement.
Fedorov used the video to argue that Ukraine is going through a “systemic disaster of governance”, describing establishments which are “fearful of change” and pointing to corruption as an element undermining the nation’s warfare effort, although he didn’t point out Zelenskyy by title.
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 subject 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 result of persevering with martial legislation.
Zelenskyy has since put in Yevhenii Khmara, a profession intelligence official with a low public profile, as appearing defence minister.
Fedorov was reportedly provided different roles in authorities, together with deputy prime minister for army innovation, however has mentioned he would solely return as defence minister.
Hours forward of Fedorov’s handle, Zelenskyy confirmed he had requested parliament to verify Khmara in workplace on Wednesday.
Protests in assist of Fedorov have continued for the previous month, shedding a few of their early momentum however nonetheless often drawing a pair thousand attendees in Kyiv.
