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Mykhailo Fedorov calls for wartime elections in Ukraine FAST-MOVING
Mykhailo Fedorov, the recently ousted Ukrainian Defense Minister, has issued a public challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky by calling for the establishment of a mechanism to hold elections during the ongoing war. In a video address, Fedorov argued that democracy must not be held hostage by Russia and that Ukraine is currently facing a systemic crisis of governance.
Fedorov, who was dismissed in July after only six months in office, suggested that his removal may have been linked to his efforts to reform the Ministry of Defense's procurement processes. He also criticized official corruption, stating it undermines the nation's war efforts.
As the Verkhovna Rada resumes sessions, the Ukrainian government continues to face leadership vacancies in critical sectors. While the President has the authority to nominate candidates, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remain without permanent, officially appointed ministers. Yevhenii Khmara is currently serving as the acting head of the Ministry of Defense, and Andrii Sybiha continues as the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The political tension is further compounded by public protests in Kyiv demanding Fedorov's reinstatement and the removal of military commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky, who was also recently dismissed following public pressure.
Entities
Andrii Sybiha · Ministry of Defense of Ukraine · Mykhailo Fedorov · Oleksandr Syrsky · Ukraine · Verkhovna Rada · Volodymyr Zelensky · Yevhenii Khmara
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Verkhovna Rada resumed its sessions on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after the summer recess. es.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr
- [● 12 SOURCES] Mykhailo Fedorov called for the establishment of a legal mechanism to hold elections during the ongoing war. fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · www.tportal.hr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · srnnews.com · +7 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs currently lack permanent, officially appointed ministers. es.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr
- [● 5 SOURCES] President Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet officially presented candidates for the Defense and Foreign Affairs ministries to the Parliament. es.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · www.milligazete.com.tr
- [● 14 SOURCES] Mykhailo Fedorov was the former Minister of Defense who was removed during a government reshuffle in July. es.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · www.tportal.hr · +9 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Oleksandr Syrsky was removed from his position as commander in chief of the army. fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.lalsace.fr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Andrii Sybiha continues to serve as the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. es.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · www.milligazete.com.tr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Yevhenii Khmara is currently serving as the acting head of the Ministry of Defense. es.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · www.rfi.fr · www.milligazete.com.tr
- [● 6 SOURCES] Ukrainian law currently prohibits the holding of elections during wartime. www.tportal.hr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · srnnews.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.lalsace.fr · +1 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Fedorov claimed Ukraine is experiencing a systemic crisis of governance and criticized official corruption. www.tportal.hr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · srnnews.com · beta.rs · ca.news.yahoo.com · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Fedorov claimed Ukraine is facing a systemic crisis of governance and criticized official corruption. www.tportal.hr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · srnnews.com · beta.rs · ca.news.yahoo.com · +5 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fedorov suggested his dismissal was linked to his attempts to reform Ministry of Defense procurement processes. www.tportal.hr · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · srnnews.com