Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's 35-year-old former defence minister, called on August 18 for holding presidential elections amid the ongoing war with Russia despite martial law that has suspended elections since the full-scale invasion in February 2022 [1, 2, 3]. In a YouTube video address, Fedorov said, "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia" and stressed the need to find "a legal, safe and realistic mechanism which will allow Ukraine to renew its full democratic process even in the conditions of a long war" [1, 2].
Fedorov criticized the systemic governance crisis in Ukraine, including widespread corruption weakening the war effort, and warned against political appointments based on loyalty rather than professionalism or results. He said, "People cannot endlessly live in a state where they do not understand why certain decisions are made. Why some reforms move forward while others are blocked" [1, 3, 4].
Fedorov was unexpectedly dismissed in late July 2026 after roughly six months as defence minister, reportedly due to tensions with Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi [1, 5]. His dismissal sparked protests across Ukraine demanding his reinstatement and the removal of top military commanders [1, 3]. Following unrest, President Zelensky replaced Syrskyi as army commander [1, 5].
Fedorov refused alternative government posts and said he would only return as defence minister [1, 5]. Zelensky nominated Yevhen Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low political profile, as acting defence minister with parliamentary confirmation scheduled for August 19, 2026 [1, 3, 6].
Ukraine has been under martial law since the February 2022 Russian invasion, which legally prohibits elections during wartime [1, 2]. Some political analysts, including Artem Bronzhukov, questioned the feasibility and safety of holding elections amid active war and continued Russian shelling. Bronzhukov said, "如今，在全面戰爭下，如何確保人民安全仍沒有明確答案" ("Currently, how to ensure people's safety during full-scale war remains unclear") [7, 8].
Recent polls indicate Fedorov is a significant political figure, polling third in potential presidential support behind Zelensky and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, with 13.1% support in a first round and head-to-head polls showing he could defeat Zelensky in a runoff [7]. However, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, "Elections after war will not be more civilised, than during it" [9].
Fedorov previously served as Ukraine's digital transformation minister, initiating projects such as the IT Army of Ukraine, drone warfare, and anti-corruption reforms during wartime [1, 5].
Parliament is scheduled to vote on Khmara's nomination as acting defence minister on August 19, 2026, while Fedorov continues to press for resuming presidential elections despite martial law [1, 3, 6].
