Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Calls for Wartime Elections

Demand for democratic continuity

In an address published on YouTube on 18 August 2026, former Ukrainian defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged state authorities to establish legal and secure mechanisms to conduct national elections despite the ongoing war with Russia. Under Ukrainian martial law in place since the 2022 Russian invasion, all national votes remain suspended, leaving Volodymyr Zelensky in office after his five-year mandate expired in May 2024. Fedorov argued that the country must confront the reality of a multi-year conflict and cannot allow Moscow to decide when Ukrainians choose their government. He stressed that democratic legitimacy requires securing the ballot for frontline troops, the millions of Ukrainian citizens living abroad, and populations near the combat zone.

Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even under conditions of prolonged war. This is difficult.

Allegations of institutional stagnation

Fedorov directed sharp criticism at internal state administration, arguing that Ukraine confronts a systemic governance crisis that weakens its wartime resilience. He warned that public trust collapses when political appointments prioritize personal loyalty to the existing system over professional competence, measurable results, and institutional reform. The former minister addressed corruption, stating that every hryvnia allocated for defense must go directly to the military rather than personal pockets or political influence. He added that the Ukrainian parliament must operate based on majority political programs, values, and accountability, rather than serving private interests in the defense, taxation, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Every hryvnia that was meant to serve defense must serve defense. Not a private pocket. Not political influence. Not sustaining someone's machinations. Not maintaining someone's position. However, corruption is only a symptom. The main problem lies much deeper. We are dealing with a systemic crisis of governance.

Political fallout and public demonstrations

The 35-year-old former minister, previously considered a close ally of Zelensky, was dismissed from his post in late July 2026 after six months in office. His removal followed bitter public disputes with then-commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom Fedorov accused of blocking modernization initiatives and causing avoidable military casualties. Zelensky stated at the time that reconciliation between the two officials had become impossible, choosing to dismiss Fedorov. The decision prompted multi-thousand street demonstrations in Kyiv and other cities demanding Syrskyi's ouster and Fedorov's reinstatement. Although Zelensky subsequently replaced Syrskyi with General Mykhailo Drapatyi, regular protests drawing several thousand people have persisted for a month.

Shifting dynamics in Kyiv

Fedorov published his address hours after Zelensky formally asked parliament to approve Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister. While Fedorov did not declare a presidential bid or outline a formal campaign platform, political polling suggests he could defeat Zelensky in a second-round presidential runoff. Former Polish ambassador to Ukraine Jan Piekło commented that Fedorov's public intervention presents a severe political challenge for the presidency by giving voice to broader public frustration. The Ukrainian president's office has not released an official response to the video address.