Sacked ex-defense minister Fedorov calls for wartime election in Ukraine

Published Aug 19, 07:46 AM UTC

Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Ukrainian defence minister who was sacked by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month after a falling out with army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, has released a video calling for wartime elections in Ukraine. Fedorov argued that 'democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia' and urged the creation of a legal mechanism to restore democratic processes despite the ongoing war. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia's February 2022 invasion, suspending elections. Zelenskyy has remained in power without a vote, a situation that has become a Kremlin talking point, backed by US President Donald Trump. Fedorov, who was popular for modernizing Ukraine's military with drones and anti-corruption efforts, did not mention Zelenskyy by name or state whether he would run. His dismissal sparked protests, and he has refused other government posts, insisting he would only return as defence minister. The call comes as Ukraine intensifies drone strikes inside Russia, drawing a Russian threat against the UK over the use of British drones.