Sacked Ukrainian defence minister calls for presidential election

Ukraine's former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for presidential elections, in what has been widely interpreted as the most significant challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky's rule since the Russian invasion began four and a half years ago. In a YouTube video, Fedorov, 35, stated that "democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia" and that Ukraine is fighting to maintain its status as a free European state.

Since the war erupted in 2022, the nation has been operating under martial law, which suspends elections. Fedorov's dismissal from his post just six months after his appointment, without naming Zelensky, prompted protests across the country. The protesters, numbering around 100, chanted "bring back Federov as minister of defence" outside the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday.

Fedorov's dismissal reportedly stemmed from tensions with army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was also recently replaced due to these pressures. Fedorov was offered other roles in the government, including deputy prime minister for military innovation, but he insisted on returning as Defence Minister. Zelensky has not yet responded to Fedorov's video, and it remains unclear if he plans to contest the presidential election.

Fedorov's call for democratic reform has sparked controversy, with some Ukrainian commentators arguing that elections during wartime are impractical. Zelensky's five-year term ends in May 2024, but a presidential election cannot be held while martial law is in effect. The Russian drone attack in Kherson, which killed four people, underscores the ongoing dangers of Ukraine's conflict.