Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Demands Elections to Challenge Oligarchic Rule Amid War
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Mykhailo Fedorov, former defence minister, calls for elections despite martial law, condemning the current leadership for democratic backsliding and warning of deep-rooted corruption undermining Ukraine’s war effort.
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has issued a bold call for wartime elections, insisting that democracy must not be sacrificed even as Ukraine resists Russian aggression. In a YouTube video posted Tuesday, the 35-year-old declared, "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," emphasizing that Ukraine’s struggle is not only against external invasion but also against the erosion of democratic rights at home. Fedorov’s outspoken stance comes after his abrupt dismissal from the defence post in late July, following only six months in office. While he did not directly name President Volodymyr Zelensky, his criticism is a clear rebuke of the current administration’s increasingly autocratic tendencies. Fedorov’s removal, which triggered public protests, is widely seen as a result of internal power struggles, particularly with army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was also ousted weeks later. The former minister warned of a "systemic crisis of governance" and rampant corruption, both of which he argues are strangling Ukraine’s war effort and betraying the people’s hopes for a just society. He called for a "legal, safe, and realistic mechanism" to restore a genuine democratic process, even amid ongoing conflict. Zelensky’s decision to appoint Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official, as acting defence minister further signals the administration’s preference for loyalists over reformers. Fedorov, who was offered other senior roles including deputy prime minister for military innovation, made it clear he would only return as defence minister, underscoring his commitment to real change. During his tenure, Fedorov was recognized for modernizing the defence ministry, launching anti-corruption initiatives, and advancing high-tech warfare, including the volunteer-driven "IT Army of Ukraine" and the "Army of Drones" campaign—efforts now at risk under a government increasingly hostile to transparency and accountability.