Ukraine's dismissed defence minister Fedorov demands wartime presidential election

Call for wartime elections

Ukraine's former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov released a nine-minute video address on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, urging the country to organize wartime presidential elections. Fedorov argued that the ongoing invasion must not prevent Ukraine from maintaining its democratic system. National ballots have remained suspended under martial law since Russian troops launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's five-year presidential mandate officially ended in May 2024, but political leaders previously delayed voting due to the security situation across the country. United States President Donald Trump had also previously called on Kyiv to hold elections during the conflict.

Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state.

Fedorov stated that the government must not allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to determine when Ukrainian citizens can cast ballots. He insisted that the Ukrainian military can simultaneously defend against Russian advances and secure national voting procedures.

Reshuffle and political dispute

Fedorov, 35, previously ran the digital campaign that helped elect Zelenskyy in 2019 before leading the Ministry of Digital Transformation until January 2026. During that period, he directed the development and deployment of combat drones and battlefield technology across Ukraine's armed forces. In January 2026, he took charge of the Ministry of Defence, serving for approximately six months before Zelenskyy abruptly dismissed him in a July government reshuffle. The president provided no public explanation for the removal, though officials cited disagreements between Fedorov and top commanders regarding procurement and institutional restructuring. Fedorov later accused military commanders of obstructing defence reforms, while Zelenskyy stated that working relations had broken down.

The dismissal led to street demonstrations in multiple Ukrainian cities, which subsequently prompted the dismissal of the top military commander, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi. Zelenskyy offered Fedorov several alternative government positions following the dismissal, but Fedorov declined each offer.

Criticisms of state governance

Throughout his address, Fedorov argued that persistent administrative problems and corruption undermine the country's wartime operations. He asserted that Ukrainian citizens are growing disconnected from national leadership due to opaque state decision-making. Zelenskyy's office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the former minister's accusations.

It is particularly dangerous when society develops the feeling that the main criterion for an appointment is not professionalism, results or the ability to transform the country, but personal loyalty to the system.

Fedorov emphasized that national unity requires transparent government decisions, particularly when public resources and military procurement are managed during a national emergency.

Parliamentary vote on defense post

Fedorov published his address on the eve of a parliamentary vote scheduled to confirm acting defence minister Yevhen Khmara to the permanent role. Zelenskyy formally nominated Khmara on Tuesday to replace Fedorov on a permanent basis. Several members of parliament indicated that lawmakers from the president's ruling party planned to approve Khmara's appointment during the upcoming session. Some parliamentarians described Fedorov's timing as an attempt to delay the confirmation vote in parliament.