A dismissed Ukrainian army minister demands a presidential election

In what is largely seen as the largest challenge to Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency since Russia’s full-scale invasion four and a half years ago, Ukraine’s well-liked former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections. Ukraine has been under martial law since the conflict started in 2022, which means that elections have been halted.

Fedorov, who did not specifically name Zelensky in the video, was abruptly removed from his position as defence minister last month, only six months after taking office. Zelensky has not yet responded to Fedorov’s video, which provoked nationwide demonstrations following his firing.

Separately, Ukraine’s two anti-corruption organisations announced that they were carrying out a special operation against current and past members of parliament as well as an unidentified presidential office official. A few hours later, Zelensky’s office announced that Iryna Mudra, its deputy head, had been fired in response to local media allegations of a raid on her property.

MP Vadym Stolar, whose house was searched as part of the operation, stated he was assisting anti-corruption authorities, but Mudra did not immediately respond. Fedorov bemoaned in his video how corruption was depriving the military of gear and weaponry, making it more difficult for Kyiv to prevail in the conflict. He described the “systemic crisis of governance” and “scared of change” that Ukraine is experiencing.

Fedorov is a charismatic politician who was credited with revitalising the ministry, spearheading an effort to combat corruption, confronting antiquated military organisations, and bringing new technologies to the battlefield during his time as defence minister. Tensions between him and Oleksandr Syrskyi, the leader of the army, are thought to have led to his departure in mid-July.

As rising demonstrations demanding Fedorov’s reinstatement increased pressure on the Ukrainian president, Syrskyi was also dismissed within days.  Other positions in the government, such as deputy prime minister for military innovation, were offered to the deposed minister, but he made it clear that he would only return as defence minister.

Zelensky stated he had urged parliament to confirm acting military minister Yevhenii Khmara in the position just before the video was uploaded late on Tuesday. MPs unanimously endorsed Khmara’s role early on Wednesday afternoon, after he told them he will do everything to safeguard Ukraine and compel Russia into a “just peace”. The demonstrations have persisted on a weekly basis, and younger Ukrainians are particularly angry that the well-established head of the armed forces has been given preference over the young, talented digital inventor.

In the YouTube video, he focused on the necessity for a “legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amidst a prolonged war” rather than outlining his own political intentions.

In just one month, he has gone from stating that he would just go back to his previous position in government to advocating for extensive reform and political transformation. Although he hasn’t made it clear that he plans to run against Zelensky, he has issued the most serious challenge to far by advocating for “a state where institutions are stronger than names”.