Former Defence Minister Calls for Wartime Elections in Ukraine
Mykhailo Fedorov's demand for a vote challenges martial law, as polling suggests he could defeat President Zelensky.
Sarah Connor
Ukraine's former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, has called for wartime elections.
He claims the old system lives by its own rules, protects itself, and fears change.
Fedorov was dismissed as defense chief in July; this move is widely accepted as related to tensions between him and army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
His ouster triggered major protests across the country, with further demonstrations in support of Fedorov occurring in Kyiv.
Ukraine currently operates under martial law, which suspends elections.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously ruled out holding elections during wartime until a ceasefire is agreed with Russia and security guarantees are in place.
Fedorov previously served as digitalization chief in President Zelensky's first cabinet, a role he held before his defense appointment.
He has stated that he would only return to government as defense minister.
Recent polling indicates Mykhailo Fedorov would comfortably beat President Volodymyr Zelensky in a direct presidential contest.
Yevgeniy Khmara has since been appointed as acting defense minister.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, Nabu and Sapo, reportedly opened an investigation into unnamed lawmakers and presidential advisers.
Fedorov previously asked Elon Musk to intervene and stop Russia from using Starlink satellites for drone attacks.