UKRAINE'S FORMER DEFENCE MINISTER CALLS FOR WARTIME ELECTIONS

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's recently dismissed defence minister, has called for wartime presidential elections in a video address released on Tuesday, marking what both reports characterise as the most direct political challenge to Volodymyr Zelensky since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Fedorov, aged 35, stated that "democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia" and argued that Ukraine must "restore a full democratic process even amidst a prolonged war". He did not name Zelensky in the nine-minute video but implied the current administration struggled with governance and corruption despite the national emergency.

Fedorov was unexpectedly dismissed from his defence ministry role in late July, approximately six months after his appointment, following tensions with army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. His departure sparked protests across Ukraine. During his tenure, Fedorov was credited with energising the ministry, driving anti-corruption efforts and using data to improve front-line performance. He previously served as digital transformation minister from 2019 until January 2024, where he oversaw Ukraine's wartime adoption of drone technology and established a volunteer cyber-warfare unit. Zelensky has since appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official, as acting defence minister.

Elections have remained suspended in Ukraine since martial law was imposed at the invasion's outset. Zelensky's five-year presidential term ended in May 2024, but no election has been held. Fedorov said he would only return to government as defence minister, rejecting other positions offered including deputy prime minister for military innovation. Zelensky has not publicly responded to Fedorov's call for elections. The US president, Donald Trump, has previously called for Ukraine to hold an election, though officials note Kyiv has shown capacity to sustain its military efforts.