Ukraine’s political debate has intensified as President Volodymyr Zelensky faces growing pressure. Against this backdrop, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for presidential elections to be held, despite the country being at war.
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His call came after anti-corruption authorities launched an investigation reportedly linked to lawmakers and senior officials in the presidential administration.
Fedorov, once a close ally of Zelensky and one of Ukraine’s best-known political figures, said on Tuesday that the country must restore a “fully functioning democratic process,” even amid the prolonged conflict.
“Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state,” he said in a nine-minute video message.
This represents the most open political confrontation with Zelensky since the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. Fedorov described the situation as a “systemic governance crisis” and criticized wartime corruption, without making specific accusations against the president or other officials.
His stance took on particular significance after he was removed from the post of defense minister. The 35-year-old had previously headed the Ministry of Digital Transformation and was one of the leading proponents of using drones in the conflict. He took over the Defense Ministry in January, during which time he advanced the use of data, statistics and automated systems in planning military operations.
Fedorov’s growing popularity brought him into conflict with senior military commanders, including General Oleksandr Shirsky, who at the time was chief of the armed forces, as well as influential figures in the defense industry. His efforts to reform procurement and combat corruption heightened tensions. Zelensky dismissed him on July 15, just six months after he had taken office.
His departure from the ministry triggered unusual wartime protests in Kyiv and other cities, attended mainly by young Ukrainians. The rallies continued with demands for Fedorov’s return to the Defense Ministry and Shirsky’s dismissal. One month after his departure, thousands of people again protested in Kyiv, chanting slogans such as “The people are the power” and “Corruption kills.”
During a protest rally, activists chanted against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
After his dismissal, Fedorov refused to accept another government position, unlike other potential political rivals of Zelensky. He said he would accept only a return to the leadership of the Defense Ministry.
Meanwhile, anti-corruption investigations in Ukraine have expanded. NABU and SAPO announced that they had launched proceedings against unidentified lawmakers and “senior officials” in Zelensky’s office, without providing further details. The announcement was published several hours before an important parliamentary vote on the appointment of the new defense minister, Yevgeny Khmara.
On Wednesday, Zelensky dismissed Iryna Mudra, the deputy head of the presidential administration, by decree. The decision was published on the official website of the Ukrainian presidency but was not accompanied by an explanation. There is also no official confirmation that the dismissal is connected to the corruption investigation. Iryna Mudra was later arrested.
Earlier, anti-corruption authorities announced that they had uncovered a group allegedly involved in money laundering. According to them, a senior presidential official was also involved in the activity.
Pressure on Zelensky is growing on several fronts as discussions about holding elections during the war unfold alongside protests, internal disputes and new corruption investigations affecting the president’s inner circle. Although there has been speculation about holding elections this year, no concrete steps have been taken in that direction so far.
