Zelenskyy rival Fedorov's election call sparks backlash in Ukraine
Ukraine's ousted former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, now seen as a rival to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has triggered outrage by calling for elections during wartime. Critics say the move breaches martial law and could benefit Russia.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov used a video address on Tuesday night to sharply criticize corruption and opaque decision-making within President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's administration, marking one of the most direct internal challenges to the president since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
However, Fedorov's surprise call for the country to hold elections drew immediate criticism across the political spectrum. Opponents argue such a vote would violate Ukraine's martial law, would be logistically impossible during wartime, could be exploited by Russia, and would undermine the national unity needed to continue the war effort.
The 35-year-old Fedorov built his popularity by leading Ukraine's use of technology in the war, including cyberattacks and drones. His abrupt dismissal last month sparked street protests, with demonstrators demanding either his reinstatement or a clear explanation from Zelenskyy.
Reactions to the election call
A senior official in Zelenskyy's office said the president is not obligated to publicly justify personnel decisions during wartime, as these touch on national security. Olga Aivazovska, head of election watchdog OPORA, warned of numerous ways Russia could interfere with any electoral process. Opposition lawmaker Roman Lozynskyi and protest leader Dmytro Koziatynskyi both voiced concern that elections could dangerously divide society during the war.
Economist Timothy Ash suggested Fedorov's push for elections could count as a serious political misstep should he seek the presidency in future. Analyst Volodymyr Fesenko defended Zelenskyy's leadership style, noting that recent appointees — Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, commander-in-chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, and new Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara — are respected even among Zelenskyy's critics.
Polling shows 63 percent of Ukrainians view Fedorov as trustworthy, compared to 56 percent for Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, support for the president having power to override constitutional checks has fallen from 79 percent in 2022 to 52 percent in May 2026.
Corruption remains a pressing issue, following scandals including former presidential aide Andriy Yermak's implication in a nuclear-sector graft scheme and ongoing investigations into several of Zelenskyy's allies.
