Sacking turns former Zelenskyy ally into powerful political rival

For over a month, protesters have gathered outside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office in Kyiv, chanting the name of Mykhailo Fedorov, the defence minister he recently dismissed. On Sunday, roughly 2,000 people marched along Kyiv's central Khreshchatyk boulevard in support of the ousted official, who during his six months in office was regarded as an effective, reform-minded figure.

Zelenskyy has declined to reinstate Fedorov, and on Wednesday parliament confirmed a successor, Yevhen Khmara, as defence minister. The appointment signals that Fedorov's path back into government is closed, cementing his shift from trusted insider to formidable political opponent.

Criticism and calls for elections

On Tuesday, Fedorov posted a nine-minute video on YouTube calling for elections to be held even during wartime and reminding the public that authority ultimately rests with citizens. He accused the Zelenskyy administration of a systemic governance crisis, arguing that corruption within the defence ministry was undermining the war effort, stalling reform, and rewarding loyalty over competence. He suggested his own anti-corruption efforts in procurement had contributed to his removal.

Analysts, including Orysia Lutsevych of Chatham House, largely agree with Fedorov's assessment, describing the system as outdated and prone to favouring loyalty over speed and innovation. She noted that Ukrainian civil society — students, veterans, journalists and anti-corruption bodies — continues to act as an active check on presidential power.

Fresh corruption allegations

Zelenskyy has not yet publicly responded to Fedorov's claims. On Wednesday, he dismissed his deputy chief of staff, Iryna Mudra, after anti-corruption investigators raided her office over suspected money laundering worth $3.4m. Olena Tregub, of the Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Commission, argued that corruption is a symptom rather than the root cause, which she identified as poor governance overall.

Ukraine's constitution bars elections during martial law, so a vote remains unlikely in the near term. Still, pressure for democratic renewal is building, and Fedorov appears well positioned to challenge Zelenskyy whenever presidential elections eventually take place.