Trouble brewing for Zelenskyy? Ex-defence minister calls for wartime polls

Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged for presidential elections to be held amidst the ongoing war with Russia, delivering a direct political challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the 2022 invasion. In a nine-minute video address, Fedorov argued that Ukraine must restore a "full democratic process" even while fighting Russia.

Fedorov's comments came after Zelenskyy abruptly removed him as defence minister six months after his appointment, sparking rare wartime protests in Kyiv. Fedorov, a key figure in Ukraine's wartime adoption of drone technology, could potentially become a serious contender in a future presidential race. However, conducting an election during the war poses significant logistical and security challenges, including regular Russian missile and drone attacks, a displaced population, and Russian occupation of a fifth of Ukraine's territory.