Zelensky rejects wartime elections as sacked minister pushes for vote
Ukraine's former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov is pressing for wartime elections, but President Zelensky says they would be too dangerous while the war continues.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Ukraine's political crisis has deepened after President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected calls for wartime elections, following a public push by his sacked defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who says the country faces a governance crisis and democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia.
Fedorov, who was dismissed last month after just six months in the job, had called for elections in a video statement, arguing that Ukraine must restore its democratic process even under conditions of prolonged war. He criticised corruption and inefficiency within the government, saying that the old system protects itself, fears change and rewards loyalty over initiative.
In a follow-up interview with the BBC, Fedorov stood by his call and denied that it handed a gift to Moscow. He said it was his moral right to start the conversation, adding: "If I cannot share my ideas and be open about them, then what are we fighting for?" He also refused to rule out running for president, though he said his statement was not about personal ambition.
President Zelensky pushed back, telling the BBC that holding an election during an active war would divide and potentially destroy the country. His presidential term legally ended in May 2024, but martial law prevents a vote under Ukraine's constitution. Zelensky has previously said elections could only happen once a ceasefire and security guarantees are in place.
The political confrontation unfolded as parliament confirmed Zelensky's pick for defence minister, Yevgeny Kamara, amid protests from supporters of Fedorov. Anti-corruption agencies also raided offices linked to the president's inner circle, including a deputy head of the presidential office, adding to the pressure.
Ukrainians are split on the idea. A recent poll suggested about half support holding elections now, but many experts warn that a vote could be logistically impossible given the millions of Ukrainians abroad, soldiers on the front line and people in occupied territories. Both Russia and some Western allies have called for elections, but for different reasons, which complicates the issue further.
Fedorov, seen as a modernising, tech-friendly figure, was credited with developing Ukraine's drone programme. He remains popular, but even some of his own supporters question whether an election at this moment is wise. As one MP put it, the consequences could be catastrophic.
The coming weeks will show whether this political crisis fades or becomes the biggest challenge to President Zelensky's leadership since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One | Channel 4 | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fedorov was the first senior Ukrainian political figure to call for elections during the war. | ||||
| Fedorov's dismissal in July led to protests and calls for his reinstatement. | · | |||
| Anti-corruption agencies raided presidential offices in Kyiv. | · | · | ||
| Around one million troops are at the front line, making voting difficult. | · | · | ||
| Fedorov said he would go to the United States to meet Elon Musk to seek support for extending Starlink access into Russian airspace. | · | · | ||
| Parliament confirmed Yevhen Hmara as the new defence minister. | · | · | ||
| Ukraine's constitution bans elections while martial law is in force. | · | · | ||
| Zelensky said elections would only be possible after a ceasefire. | · | · | ||
| A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll found 50% of Ukrainians support holding elections now without a ceasefire and 57% support elections after the war. | · | · | · | |
| A Russian drone dropped an explosive on a bus in Kherson, killing four people. | · | · | · | |
| Corruption investigators raided homes of politicians including a senior aide to Zelensky. | · | · | · | |
| Fedorov did not rule out standing for the presidency if an election were held. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on Fedorov's interview and Zelensky's response, giving a comprehensive update on the political standoff, including the legal and practical obstacles to holding elections. It also included analysis from experts and a poll by KIIS showing that a majority of Ukrainians are against holding elections now.
- “President Zelensky says elections during Russia's invasion would be too dangerous for Ukraine after his former defence minister again calls for a vote in an interview with the BBC.”
- “We are the only ones who will decide what we do going forward. That's what democracy is all about.”
Sky News gave extensive analysis from its defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke, who said this was Zelensky's most dangerous day since the invasion. The channel highlighted the political threat from Fedorov, the corruption raids on presidential offices, and the rivalry over the defence minister post, with emphasis on the power struggle and the role of the United States.
- “This is Zelensky's most dangerous day today since the Russians invaded in 2022.”
- “He is explicitly challenging for some sort of leadership. He has been offered senior roles, but he said no, I only want to be Minister of Defence.”
Channel 4 focused on the political infighting, calling it a 'Game of Thrones' in Kiev. It reported on the corruption raids, the approval of the new defence minister, and the views of two Ukrainian MPs with differing opinions on elections. It also highlighted the humanitarian cost, with a Russian drone attack on a bus in Kherson.
- “The gloves come off in Kiev. The sacked but highly popular ex-defence minister challenges President Zelensky to an electoral duel.”
- “Even ardent supporters who we spoke to today are questioning the wisdom of his call for wartime elections. Why you propose something which can really destroy our country?”
BBC One West focused on the local angle but also covered the story, giving the BBC's interview with Fedorov, and the BBC's correspondent Dan Johnson reporting from Kyiv. It emphasised the protest background and the constitutional hurdle to elections, and also discussed the impact of corruption.
- “They chant his name, they want the change he represents, better government, an end to corruption and perhaps new leadership.”
- “The former defence minister will take this as a sign of his personal support and the growing frustration with the government.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.