Ukraine Ex-Defence Minister Calls For Wartime Elections

Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged Ukraine to hold elections during the war, presenting the call as a challenge to Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership at a time when the country is battling Russia’s invasion.

Fedorov, 35, made the case in a video posted on YouTube on Tuesday, saying that Ukraine is fighting because it wants to remain a “free European state”. He added that “democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia”, but did not mention Zelensky by name.

Martial Law Halts Polls

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has operated under martial law. That framework suspends elections, leaving the government without a route to nationwide voting while the conflict continues.

In his video, Fedorov said Ukraine needed a “legal, safe, and realistic mechanism” to restore a full democratic process even during a prolonged war.

Dismissal Sparks Political Tensions

Fedorov was unexpectedly removed as defence minister in late July, just six months after taking up the post. Zelensky has not publicly responded to the video, and protests followed Fedorov’s dismissal across Ukraine.

During his time in the role, Fedorov was credited with energising the ministry, including an anti-corruption push and efforts to use data to assess performance and improve the work of units on the front line.

His firing has been widely linked to strained relations with army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Syrskyi was replaced several weeks after Fedorov’s departure, following weeks of demonstrations that increased pressure on Zelensky.

Call For Change And Governance Reform

Fedorov did not outline a new political programme in the video, focusing instead on what he described as a governance crisis in Ukraine. He said the country was “scared of change” and pointed to corruption as one factor undermining the effectiveness of the war effort.

Zelensky has since appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low public profile, as acting defence minister. After Fedorov’s dismissal, the government offered him other posts, including deputy prime minister for military innovation.

Fedorov said he would return only if he could serve as defence minister.

From Digital Role To Drone And Technology Focus

Before joining the defence ministry, Fedorov served as minister of digital transformation. Early in the war he set up the volunteer “IT Army of Ukraine”, which carried out cyber-attacks against Russian forces.

He later led a fundraising drive known as the Army of Drones, and brought elements of “gamification” into military operations. Under that approach, Ukrainian units received credits for hitting Russian targets.

As defence minister, he continued to concentrate on drones, high-tech warfare and procurement. He also asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to stop Russia using Starlink satellite services for drone attacks, a move credited with disrupting parts of Russia’s frontline operations and advances.

Shortly after his dismissal, Fedorov posted on Facebook listing his achievements and said he would “continue... to defeat the enemy through asymmetry, speed of innovation, and organisational strength”.

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19 August 2026