Ousted Ukraine defence minister calls for wartime elections amid governance crisis

Kyiv,UPDATED: Aug 19, 2026 13:50 IST

Ukraine's ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on Tuesday called for elections to be held even as the war with Russia continues, saying the country is facing a crisis of governance. The appeal from a politician who was, until recently, one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's most loyal and long-serving team members could become the most serious internal challenge the Ukrainian leader has faced since Russia's full-scale invasion.

In a video address posted on YouTube, Fedorov said Ukraine must restore democratic processes during the war. Ukrainian law bars elections while the country is under martial law, which was imposed on February 24, 2022, the day Russia launched its invasion. Zelenskyy's office did not immediately comment on the address.

"We must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amid a prolonged war," Fedorov said. He also said the country was dealing with a systemic crisis in the way it is governed, arguing that the current system is focused on protecting itself and resisting change.

Fedorov also criticised corruption among officials, without naming anyone, and said it had weakened Ukraine's ability to fight the war. "Corruption in wartime is not merely a financial issue. It is a matter of our capability to survive and win," he said. "Every single hryvnia intended for defence must work for defence. Not for a private pocket."

Fedorov has said he believes one reason for his removal in July was an overhaul he led of the Defence Ministry's procurement system, which handles billions of dollars in equipment purchases. His address came hours after Ukraine's Parliament received a submission from Zelenskyy nominating Yevhenii Khmara as the new defence minister, Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on Facebook on Tuesday.

Over the past month, large crowds have gathered on the streets of Kyiv in support of Fedorov after his abrupt dismissal. While the protests have lost some of their initial force, they are still drawing thousands of people during weekend marches, with demonstrators carrying handmade signs calling on Zelenskyy to reinstate him. The developments have brought together Fedorov's demand for elections, his allegations over governance and corruption, and the continuing public support he has received since leaving office.

With PTI Inputs

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