Sacked Ukrainian Defence Minister Urges Transparency on Corruption and Wartime Elections

Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stated that President Volodymyr Zelensky should answer questions regarding whether he was aware of alleged corruption in his government. In an interview with the BBC, Fedorov explained that a recent financial investigation meant the president ought to clarify his knowledge of potential wrongdoing within his inner circle, though Fedorov noted he had no evidence that Zelensky was personally corrupt.

The former minister’s remarks followed the announcement of an inquiry by Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau into lawmakers and bankers. Investigators uncovered an alleged scheme to misappropriate more than $3 million in national currency to cover bail for a former energy minister facing money laundering charges. A senior official in Zelensky’s office was subsequently dismissed over alleged involvement in the matter.

Fedorov emphasized that during his time working with Zelensky, he never received any assignment that violated the law or his sense of integrity. However, he maintained that the president holds responsibility for addressing public questions about cabinet oversight. In response, a spokesperson for Zelensky pointed out that Fedorov had served in government since 2019, describing it as strange for the former minister to speak as though those administrations were distinct from his own tenure.

Fedorov also renewed his call for Ukraine to hold presidential elections despite the war with Russia, asserting that “Democracy should not be the hostage of Putin” and warning that refusing to hold votes risks ending democracy. While Fedorov did not declare any personal political ambitions or criticize Zelensky directly, he declined to say whether he would endorse the president in a future race.

Zelensky has publicly rejected holding wartime elections, citing severe national security risks. In statements released on Sunday, the president declared that “Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine.” Observers and experts have pointed to major practical hurdles to conducting a vote, including ensuring ballot access for military personnel on the front lines, millions of refugees abroad, and citizens living in Russian-occupied territories.

Fedorov was dismissed from his post last month following reported disagreements with the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces. Protests over his removal ended on Wednesday after parliament confirmed his successor. The 35-year-old former minister, who also previously led the digital transformation ministry, is widely credited with modernizing Ukraine’s military through drone technology. He announced plans to visit the United States in the coming weeks to meet with billionaire Elon Musk regarding the deployment of Starlink satellite systems.

Background

Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Under the country’s constitution, martial law automatically suspends national elections, preventing scheduled presidential and parliamentary votes from taking place during active hostilities. Volodymyr Zelensky’s standard five-year presidential term officially expired in May 2024, but he remains in office under wartime emergency rules.

Tackling corruption and strengthening institutional accountability remain critical requirements for Ukraine as it seeks continued military and financial support from Western allies, as well as progress toward European Union membership. Anti-corruption agencies established in recent years have increasingly targeted illicit financial schemes within government institutions and state-linked sectors.