Ousted Ukrainian Defence Minister calls for wartime presidential elections, defying Zelenskyy

Mykhailo Fedorov, dismissed as Ukraine's defence minister in July 2026, called on August 18 for wartime presidential elections, urging Kyiv to restore its democratic process despite the ongoing war. The move directly challenges President Zelenskyy's stance that elections cannot be held under martial law. Fedorov, a longtime Zelenskyy ally, cited a "systemic crisis of governance" and pointed to corruption. Zelenskyy's office is under investigation.