Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections to be held during wartime, in what many see as the biggest challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership since the war with Russia began in February 2022.

In a video posted on YouTube on Tuesday, the 35-year-old Fedorov stated, "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," adding that Ukraine is fighting "precisely because we want to remain a free European state."

Since Russia's invasion, Ukraine has been under martial law, which suspends elections. Fedorov did not mention Zelensky by name in the video, but he was unexpectedly dismissed from his post as defense minister in late July, just six months after his appointment.

Zelensky has yet to respond to Fedorov's video, whose dismissal sparked protests across the country. During his tenure, Fedorov was credited with energizing the ministry, leading an anti-corruption drive, and using data to improve frontline performance.

His dismissal is widely believed to be linked to tensions with army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was also replaced weeks later after protests piled pressure on the president. Fedorov gave no indication of his own political plans, instead focusing on the need for a "legal, safe, and realistic mechanism" to restore full democratic process even amid a prolonged war.

He added that the country faces a "systemic crisis of governance" and is "scared of change," pointing to corruption as one of the factors hurting Ukraine's war effort.

Zelensky has since appointed Yevgeniy Khmara, a career intelligence official with a low political profile, as acting defense minister. Other posts were offered to Fedorov, including deputy prime minister for military innovation, but he said he would only return as defense minister.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk