Ukraine's sacked defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov challenges Zelenskyy with calls for wartime elections
Consensus Summary
Ukraine’s former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, has emerged as a vocal critic of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after being sacked in July following six months in the role. His dismissal, linked to a falling out with military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, triggered protests in Kyiv that have continued for more than a month, including a 2,000-person march on Sunday. Fedorov released a nine-minute video on Tuesday calling for wartime elections and accusing Zelenskyy’s administration of systemic corruption and poor governance, arguing democracy cannot be 'held hostage by Russia.' Zelenskyy responded by nominating Yevhen Khmara, the acting defence minister, for permanent appointment, with parliamentary confirmation expected on Wednesday. Polling at the turn of the month suggests Fedorov could challenge Zelenskyy in a runoff election, with 13.1% support in the first round, trailing only Zelenskyy and Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy fired his deputy chief of staff, Iryna Mudra, on Wednesday after a corruption raid, and his five-year term ended in May 2024 without an election due to wartime conditions.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, was Ukraine’s defence minister for six months before being sacked in July.
- Fedorov released a bombshell nine-minute video on YouTube on Tuesday calling for wartime elections and criticizing Zelenskyy’s administration.
- Protests in support of Fedorov have continued for more than a month in Kyiv, including a 2,000-person march on Sunday.
- Zelenskyy formally nominated Yevhen Khmara, the acting defence minister, to replace Fedorov on Tuesday, with a parliamentary vote expected on Wednesday.
- Fedorov was Ukraine’s digital minister from 2019 until January before becoming defence minister.
- Fedorov was sacked after a falling out with military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was later dismissed by Zelenskyy amid public pressure.
- Polling at the turn of the month showed Fedorov would come third in a presidential election with 13.1%, behind Zelenskyy (22.3%) and Valerii Zaluzhnyi (21.4%).
- The same polling concluded Zelenskyy would be defeated in a runoff by both Fedorov and Zaluzhnyi.
- Zelenskyy fired his deputy chief of staff, Iryna Mudra, on Wednesday after a National Anti-Corruption Bureau raid on her office.
- Zelenskyy’s five-year term ended in May 2024, but no election has been held due to wartime conditions.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Fedorov was the last remaining member of Zelenskyy’s first cabinet in 2019.
- Protests in Kyiv demanded the sacking of Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi after Fedorov’s firing, leading to Syrskyi’s dismissal.
- Fedorov did not confirm whether he would stand in any election but said Ukraine faces a 'crisis of governance'.
- One recent poll indicated Fedorov could comfortably beat Zelenskyy in a runoff vote.
- Fedorov’s video included a photo of Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, who resigned last year amid corruption allegations.
- A year ago, Zelenskyy triggered protests when he tried to strip the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of its independence.
- About a fifth of the country’s territory is under Russian occupation.
- Fedorov’s video mentioned drones not bought, ammunition not reaching the front, and technology not produced due to corruption.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Fedorov was sacked in July, but the ABC says he was fired in July after six months in the job, implying the sacking occurred in January 2024 (since he was appointed in July 2023).
- The Guardian mentions Zelenskyy’s term ended in May 2024, but does not specify if this is a consensus fact with ABC, as ABC does not mention this exact date.
Source Articles
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