Ukraine's former defense minister Fedorov calls for wartime elections
Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged Ukraine to allow wartime elections, as parliament prepares to confirm Yevhenii Khmara as his successor.
Political friction in Kyiv deepened as former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov renewed calls for legal mechanisms allowing elections during a prolonged war, declaring that "democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia." Fedorov was dismissed last month following a dispute with military leadership.
The proposal comes as Ukrainian lawmakers prepare to vote on confirming Yevhenii Khmara as the new defense minister. Meanwhile, anti-corruption inquiries targeting figures associated with the administration have placed additional pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky's government.
The domestic political debate coincides with continued Russian aerial strikes across Ukraine, which caused multiple fatalities in regions including Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. In response, Ukrainian forces launched drone attacks targeting Moscow, with Russian air defenses intercepting several unmanned vehicles.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.
How outlets assessed this
- Aug 25, 2026, 03:00 PM UTC
- Il Messaggero Critical Framed Fedorov's call for elections as a direct political challenge, positioning the former minister as an 'anti-Zelensky' figure.
- Corriere della Sera Critical Framed President Zelensky as politically surrounded by anti-corruption probes and growing demands for wartime elections.
Sources
- La Repubblica — Guerra Ucraina - Russia, le news di oggi. Fedorov chiede elezioni: “Democrazia non può essere ostaggio di Mosca”
- Corriere della Sera — Zelensky «accerchiato»: blitz anticorruzione contro un gruppo legato a lui e Fedorov chiede di andare al voto. Nuova ondata di droni ucraini su Mosca
- Il Sole 24 Ore — Guerra in Ucraina, ultime notizie. Missili russi su Kiev e aree circostanti, 12 morti
- ANSA — Ucraina, raid russo notturno su Kiev, Zelensky: 'Tredici morti e 40 feriti'
- Il Messaggero — Chi è Mykhailo Fedorov, ?l'anti Zelensky? che chiede le elezioni anticipate: il ruolo nella guerra tecnologica e il licenziamento improvviso
Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEU warns against Russian hybrid threats as strikes hit Kyiv and energy targets
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCEU warns Moscow over hybrid threats as Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv
- Oct 16, 2026, 12:30 PM UTCRussian strikes target Kyiv as EU warns Moscow over hybrid threats
- Oct 16, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCEU vows response to alleged Russian sabotage as Kyiv faces fresh drone strikes
- Oct 16, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCGerman police identify Russian-linked suspects over Leipzig drone discovery
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCRussia targets Kyiv with drones as EU warns against acts of sabotage on its soil
- Oct 16, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCRussia launches new campaign against Ukrainian energy grid as Kyiv comes under drone attack
- Oct 16, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCGerman authorities identify suspects in Leipzig drone incident as EU warns Moscow
- Oct 15, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCEuropean Union warns Russia over covert operations as strikes target Kyiv and Russian energy sites
- Oct 15, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCRussia targets Ukrainian energy grid while EU warns against covert operations