Mykhailo Fedorov, recently dismissed as Ukraine's defence minister, has publicly called for a legal mechanism to hold elections during wartime, challenging a legal and political taboo. He accused parts of the state of corruption, linked his removal to procurement reforms, and highlighted a "systemic crisis of governance." The move follows mass protests in Kyiv and comes as Zelenskiy nominates a new defence minister; a poll suggests Fedorov could beat Zelenskiy in a runoff.
Ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Demands Wartime Elections, Escalating Rift With Zelenskiy
Ukraine's Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov speaks at a joint press conference with his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson (not pictured), as Swedish defence equipment maker Saab signs a contract to deliver Gripen E fighter aircraft to Ukraine, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Ukrainian defence minister, delivered a forceful video address on YouTube calling for a legal mechanism to hold elections even while Ukraine remains at war. His demand — the first public call by a major Ukrainian political figure for wartime elections since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion — frames a deep domestic political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and raises questions about governance during the conflict.
Under current Ukrainian law, national elections are prohibited while the country is at war. In his address, Fedorov argued that this constraint allows Russia to "hold democracy hostage" and urged officials to develop "a legal, safe and realistic mechanism" to restore full democratic processes despite prolonged hostilities.
A Break With The Establishment
The 35-year-old Fedorov was a close ally of Zelenskiy until his abrupt dismissal from the Defence Ministry in July, only six months after taking the post in January with promises of sweeping reforms. His removal followed an increasingly public split with Armed Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi over strategy and leadership, a dispute that sparked mass protests in Kyiv demanding Syrskyi's ouster and Fedorov's reinstatement.
Fedorov has publicly accused unnamed officials of corruption that he says has undermined Ukraine's war effort. He also suggested that his efforts to reform the Defence Ministry's procurement processes — responsible for buying billions of dollars of equipment — contributed to his sacking.
Political Fallout And Next Steps
Fedorov’s address came hours after President Zelenskiy asked parliament to confirm Yevhenii Khmara as the new defence minister. While Fedorov did not explicitly say he would run for office, a recent poll indicated he could comfortably defeat Zelenskiy in a hypothetical runoff between the top two presidential candidates.
"The old system lives by its own rules too often. It protects itself. It is scared of change," Fedorov said, describing what he called a "systemic crisis of governance."
Formerly Ukraine’s youngest-ever minister as head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation at age 28, Fedorov built his national profile by championing drones and data-driven approaches to warfare. When he became defence minister in January he promised an attrition-based strategy combined with technological superiority.
Fedorov closed his address by appealing to public sentiment: "Our people have long been ready for a different country. Now, our state must become worthy of its people." Zelenskiy’s office did not immediately comment on the speech.
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