Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Ukrainian defence minister, has called for wartime elections, presenting what some observers view as a significant challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership. In a video posted to YouTube on Tuesday, Mr Fedorov, 35, stated that "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," arguing that Ukraine is fighting "precisely because we want to remain a free European state."
Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been under martial law, which mandates the suspension of elections. Mr Fedorov, who did not name President Zelensky in his video, was dismissed from his position as defence minister in late July, six months after his appointment. His dismissal reportedly sparked protests across the country.
During his tenure, Mr Fedorov was credited with efforts to revitalise the defence ministry, including anti-corruption initiatives and the use of data to improve front-line performance. His dismissal is widely believed to be linked to tensions with army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was also later replaced. Mr Fedorov stated in his video that Ukraine needs a "legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amidst a prolonged war."