Ukraine's 'Drone War Hero' Turns on Zelenskyy, Demanding Elections

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was abruptly dismissed after successfully leading the country's drone warfare efforts, has publicly called for wartime elections.

Ukraine has skipped its 2024 presidential election due to wartime martial law, and this move is widely seen as an open challenge to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a video posted to YouTube on the 18th local time, former Minister Fedorov said, "Democracy must not be taken hostage by Russia," adding, "We must find a legitimate, safe, and realistic way for Ukraine to resume full democratic processes even amid a prolonged war."

He went on to criticize, "Ukraine is facing a structural governance crisis," noting that "the existing system too often operates by its own rules, tries to protect itself, and fears change."

According to U.S. broadcaster CNN, this marks the first time a major Ukrainian politician has publicly demanded the holding of elections since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

President Zelenskyy, who took office in May 2019, saw his term expire in May 2024, but he has remained in office without holding a presidential election due to wartime martial law.

Amidst this process, continuous turmoil has unfolded, including the former chief of staff and close confidant of President Zelenskyy being put on trial on corruption charges.

President Zelenskyy also faced a backlash from public opinion last month when he abruptly dismissed former Minister Fedorov just six months into his appointment.

The 35-year-old former minister is regarded as a key contributor to changing the tide of the war against Russia by leveraging drones.

Enjoying considerable popularity among the Ukrainian public, he has recently emerged as a dark horse in politics, backed by widespread national support.

According to a survey on public figures conducted by the Ukrainian Social Research Center among 2,000 people from July 28 to August 2, former Minister Fedorov ranked second in political trust, demonstrating his strong presence.

In the same survey, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK and a political rival of President Zelenskyy, ranked first in trust, while President Zelenskyy placed sixth.

In a hypothetical poll assuming an upcoming presidential election, President Zelenskyy's approval rating stood at 17.8%, followed by Ambassador Zaluzhnyi at 17.1% and former Minister Fedorov at 10.5%.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.