Ukraine needs changes to avoid losing war, ousted defense minister says

Ukraine seems to be inching towards a loss in its ongoing conflict with Russia, according to ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. In an interview with Reuters, Fedorov warned that Kyiv has a few months to make crucial decisions that could change the outcome of the war. The ousted minister highlighted the lack of a clear strategy for winning the conflict, which he attributed to Ukraine's failure to innovate and its entrenched corruption and patronage networks.

Fedorov cautioned that while Ukraine still had a chance to prevail, it required a plan to end the war. He stressed the need for a vision to end the conflict, noting that the country's efficiency was operating at "5%." Ukraine has been under severe pressure, with Russian missiles hitting factories and warehouses, as well as causing fuel shortages.

Despite this, a survey conducted at the end of July found that 82% of Ukrainians believed their country would win, expecting the conflict to continue for another half a decade. Fedorov's comments come after he was dismissed six months ago, having initiated reforms around procurement and mobilisation that put him at odds with the military establishment and political rivals.

The minister proposed wartime elections, decrying a "systemic" crisis of governance, and emphasized the importance of developing autonomous drones guided by artificial intelligence and interceptor missiles to counter Russia's air attacks. He also outlined a vision for a frontline protected by electronic sensors, drones, and a ballistic missile program to turn the tide of the war.

Fedorov believes Ukraine has the opportunity to isolate Russian-occupied Crimea, but he stressed the need for a joined-up strategy to maximise the effect of these technologies.