{
  "id": 1821677,
  "title": "Sacked Ukrainian defence minister urges path to elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/sacked-ukrainian-defence-minister-urges-path-to-elections-1821677",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T21:40:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2026/08/19/sacked-ukrainian-defence-minister-urges-path-to-elections"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukraine's former popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, dismissed last month, has called for the nation to move towards elections that have been postponed due to the Russian invasion. In a YouTube video, Fedorov stated, \"Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia.\" He explained that Ukraine is fighting the invasion to preserve its status as a free European state. Fedorov emphasized the need to establish a \"legal, safe, and realistic mechanism\" that would enable Ukraine to restore a full democratic process, despite the ongoing war. He acknowledged the challenges involved, such as ensuring soldiers, individuals near the front lines, and millions of Ukrainians abroad can participate in the voting process. Fedorov acknowledged that complexity does not equate to impossibility. Appointed as defence minister in January, he attempted to address issues like corruption, equipment shortages, absenteeism, conscript treatment, and the unpopular mobilisation. His dismissal led to protests and mounting pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky subsequently appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official with limited political experience, as acting defence minister pending a parliamentary vote. Fedorov has not disclosed his political intentions in the video, but he has previously stated he would only return to the government in his previous role. Another demonstration in support of Fedorov is planned outside parliament on Wednesday morning, according to his former adviser and key supporter, Sergiy Sternenko.",
  "summary": "Mykhailo Fedorov said Ukraine must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism to restore a full democratic process even amid a prolonged war.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sacked Ukrainian defence minister urges path to elections",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/sacked-ukrainian-defence-minister-urges-path-to-elections",
        "published": "2026-08-18T21:40:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}