A Video That Shakes Kyiv
Ukraine's former Defense Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, launched an explosive video address on YouTube this Tuesday night, demanding presidential elections be held during the war with Russia and calling for a legal mechanism to restore the democratic process despite martial law. This represents the most direct political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
"Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state," Fedorov stated, acknowledging that organizing elections in wartime is "complex," but emphasizing: "complexity does not mean impossibility".
"We must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that allows Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amid a prolonged war."
The Context: Martial Law and Expired Mandate
Ukraine has been under martial law since the start of the Russian invasion, which prohibits the holding of elections. Zelensky's five-year mandate ended in May 2024, but no vote has been held due to the ongoing conflict. Parliament extended martial law last month until October 31.
Fedorov highlighted three major challenges to calling elections: voting for soldiers on the front lines, citizens in combat zones, and the millions of Ukrainians displaced or living as refugees (nearly 10 million). Additionally, about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian occupation.
Criticism of "Governance Crisis" and Corruption
Without directly naming Zelensky, Fedorov questioned the functioning of state institutions and demanded greater transparency. "People cannot live indefinitely in a state where they do not understand why certain decisions are made," he said. He also denounced that "personal loyalty" has become a criterion for appointments: "It is particularly dangerous when society develops the feeling that the main criterion for an appointment is not professionalism, results, or the ability to transform the country, but personal loyalty to the system".
In a segment with a tone of accusation, he projected a photo of Andrii Yermak, Zelensky's former chief of staff, removed in November amid a major corruption scandal. "In wartime, stolen money means a drone that isn't purchased, ammunition that doesn't reach the front, an electronic system that isn't installed, a vehicle that doesn't evacuate a wounded soldier," he declared.
Dismissal and Protests
Fedorov held the Defense Minister position for only seven months, appointed in January 2026 with promises of reform. Zelensky dismissed him on July 15, a decision that sparked protests on the streets of Kyiv and increased political pressure on the government. Shortly after, the president also replaced the head of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, considered a rival of Fedorov.
Demonstrations in support of the former minister continue. According to his former advisor Sergiy Sternenko, a new mobilization is called for this Wednesday in front of Parliament. A protest on Sunday gathered around 2,000 people, according to local reports.
Polls and Political Future
Fedorov has not confirmed a potential presidential candidacy. However, polls from early August place him in third place in a potential first round, with 13.1% support, behind Zelensky (22.3%) and former Armed Forces chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi (21.4%), currently Ukraine's ambassador to the UK. The same Socis Center poll indicates Zelensky would lose a potential runoff against both Fedorov and Zaluzhnyi.
Meanwhile, New Defense Minister
The Ukrainian president officially nominated Yevhen Khmara, who served as acting minister and a former senior intelligence official, for the position permanently. Parliament is set to vote on his appointment this Wednesday, August 19. Khmara had already been leading the ministry in an interim capacity.
Anti-Corruption Operation "Forrest Gump"
In parallel, this same Wednesday, the National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) launched an operation dubbed "Forrest Gump" to dismantle a criminal organization allegedly involved in laundering 150 million hryvnias (€2.9 million) in cash to pay the bail for a defendant in the so-called "Midas case", a bribery scheme involving contractors from the state atomic energy company.
Among those implicated are Irina Mudra, deputy head of the Presidential Office, who was dismissed by Zelensky this Wednesday after searches at her home, and lawmaker Vadim Stolar. Also named are the chairmen of the management and supervisory boards of the state bank Sens Bank. In the 'Midas case,' Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's former chief of staff, is also under investigation.
Ukraine's political crisis deepens at a time when the war against Russia has lasted more than four and a half years, with nearly 17,000 civilians killed since February 2022, according to figures cited by El País.
Sources: CNN in Spanish · Infobae · El País