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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 18 sources tracked

Sacked Ukrainian defence minister calls for presidential elections

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected demands for wartime elections, claiming such a vote would split the population and destroy the country. He described the prospect of polling during active fighting with Russia as a tsunami. This response follows renewed pressure from dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is calling for elections and demanding the president explain his knowledge of corruption within his inner circle. The political crisis coincides with the arrival of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Kyiv for Ukraine's 35th independence day.

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What changed

Mykhailo Fedorov has expanded his demands to include a presidential explanation regarding inner-circle corruption.

Live updates

  1. Zelenskyy rejects wartime election calls as rift with former defense minister grows

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected demands for wartime elections, claiming such a vote would split the population and destroy the country. He described the prospect of polling during active fighting with Russia as a tsunami. This response follows renewed pressure from dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is calling for elections and demanding the president explain his knowledge of corruption within his inner circle. The political crisis coincides with the arrival of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Kyiv for Ukraine's 35th independence day.

    Why it matters

    The dispute stems from Fedorov's dismissal and his subsequent challenge to Zelenskyy's wartime leadership. This internal political friction occurs while Ukraine manages the aftermath of a Russian drone strike on a shopping center. The stability of the government is a key concern for international allies providing military support.

    What is confirmed

    • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that wartime elections would split Ukrainians and destroy the country.
    • Zelenskyy characterized the potential for wartime elections as a tsunami.
    • Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has renewed his calls for wartime elections.
    • UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv during Ukraine's 35th independence day.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Mykhailo Fedorov urges the president to explain if he knew about corruption in his inner circle.

    What to watch next

    • Official government response to corruption allegations
    • Further public protests linked to Fedorov
    • Statements from the UK government regarding the political rift
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. www.nbcnews.com — Wartime election would ‘destroy’ Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
    2. www.nationalheraldindia.com — Sacked Ukraine defence minister urges questions over Zelenskyy’s knowledge of corruption
    3. www.france24.com — Wartime elections would 'destroy' Ukraine, says Zelensky
    4. thepeninsulaqatar.com — Ukrainian President rebuffs calls for wartime polls
    5. punchng.com — Zelensky rejects rival’s call for vote, says it would ‘split’ Ukraine
    6. www.goulburnpost.com.au — Zelenskiy details rift with dismissed defence minister
    7. time.com — A ‘Tsunami’ for Ukraine: Zelensky Rejects Wartime Elections
    8. www.irishnews.com — Burnham arrives in Kyiv to underscore UK support for Ukraine
    confidence 95%

  2. Zelenskyy labels dismissed defense minister's election calls misguided

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to demands for presidential elections from dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, describing Fedorov's actions and involvement in protests as misguided. This response follows a public address by the former minister challenging Zelenskyy's wartime leadership. While the political rift deepens, Ukraine is simultaneously managing the aftermath of a Russian double-tap drone strike on a shopping center that killed at least 15 people and injured over 130 others, including children.

    Why it matters

    The conflict between the presidency and the former defense chief introduces internal political instability during an active war. This friction occurs as Russia continues targeting civilian infrastructure, such as the recent mall attack.

    What is confirmed

    • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's calls for elections and involvement in protests were misguided.
    • A Russian double-tap drone strike on a Ukrainian shopping center killed at least 15 people.
    • At least 130 people, including children, were injured in the shopping center attack.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Four people remain missing following the shopping center attack.
    • The shopping center attack killed 16 people.

    What to watch next

    • Further public responses from Mykhailo Fedorov regarding the president's comments
    • Official government updates on the number of casualties from the mall strike
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.bbc.com — Russian double-tap drone strike kills 15 in Ukrainian mall, officials say
    2. consent.yahoo.com — Russian 'double-tap' drone strike kills 15 people at Ukrainian shopping centre
    3. www.econotimes.com — Is Europe developing Ukraine war fatigue?
    4. www.aol.com — Rescuers dig through Ukraine mall wreckage as Zelensky condemns 'despicable' Russian strike
    5. apnews.com — Zelenskyy details rift with dismissed defense minister, saying some of his actions were misguided
    confidence 90%

  3. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Demands Presidential Elections

    Ukraine's ousted defense minister has called for presidential elections during a public address. This demand represents a direct challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wartime leadership and marks a formal break between the former minister and the presidency. The call for wartime polls creates internal political pressure while the country remains under conflict. Multiple international news outlets report the demand as a significant shift in the relationship between the former defense chief and the head of state.

    Why it matters

    President Zelenskyy has led Ukraine through the ongoing war. The defense ministry is a critical pillar of the national security apparatus. A public split between the president and a former top security official introduces political instability during a period of national mobilization.

    What is confirmed

    • Ukraine's former defense minister has called for presidential elections.
    • The former defense minister was sacked from his position.
    • The call for elections constitutes a challenge to President Zelenskyy's wartime rule.

    What to watch next

    • President Zelenskyy's official response to the call for elections
    • Legal or constitutional rulings on the possibility of holding elections during wartime
    • Further public statements from the ousted defense minister regarding his specific grievances
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. CNN — Ukraine’s ousted defense minister calls for wartime elections in bombshell address
    2. BBC — Sacked Ukrainian defence minister calls for presidential election
    3. CNBC — Zelenskyy faces challenge to his wartime rule as former defense chief calls for election
    4. The New York Times — Ukraine’s Ex-Defense Minister Calls for Election, Cementing Break With Zelensky
    5. Euronews.com — Sacked Ukrainian defence minister calls for presidential elections
    confidence 100%