Ukraine’s Ousted Defence Minister Calls for Wartime Elections

Ukraine experienced a political development when Mykhailo Fedorov, the former Defence Minister, called for elections while the country remains under martial law and active conflict.

Fedorov’s public statement on August 18, 2026, urged authorities to organize national elections, referencing what he described as a governance crisis. His remarks followed his removal from office by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy one month earlier.

The dismissal of Fedorov from the defence ministry took place on July 15, 2026. This action was carried out by President Zelenskyy as part of an official government decision.

Following the announcement of Fedorov’s removal, protests were reported in several Ukrainian cities. Such demonstrations have been uncommon during the period of martial law and ongoing conflict.

What the numbers show

• Fedorov was dismissed on July 15, 2026.
• He publicly called for elections on August 18, 2026.
• Martial law prohibits national elections until it is lifted.

Under the current legal framework, Ukraine’s martial law restricts the holding of national elections. The law states that elections cannot take place until martial law is officially ended.

The protests that followed Fedorov’s dismissal were notable due to the wartime context, as public demonstrations have been limited since the imposition of martial law. These events indicate a response from segments of the population to changes in the country’s leadership during conflict.

Fedorov’s call for elections comes at a time when martial law remains in force, and the legal prohibition on elections remains in effect. The situation highlights the procedural limitations on political processes during periods of national emergency in Ukraine.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.