Fedorov decries corruption in Defense Ministry, doubles down on calls for elections

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov detailed what he described as widespread corruption within Ukraine's Defense Ministry in a wide-ranging interview with Channel 24 released Aug. 22, while reiterating his call for Ukraine to prepare for elections even as war continues.

Fedorov's appeal came after weeks of political turmoil that had shaken public confidence in President Volodymyr Zelensky's governance, including corruption scandals, a chaotic government reshuffle, and nationwide protests over Fedorov's dismissal as defense minister.

"There are many people who have built various schemes around their own interests, and they are essentially slowing down the adoption of the right decisions," Fedorov said. "I experienced this at the Defense Ministry."

"This isn't about one person, two people, or just some top officials. We're talking about hundreds of people who have simply become accustomed over the years to making money from the state budget," Fedorov said of his time as the head of the ministry. "Corruption actually prevents us from ending the war from a position of strength."

The former Defense Minister did not name any individuals in questions, only adding that "Ukrainians will learn these names" through future law-enforcement recordings and press coverage.

Fedorov's latest pointed comments come days after the ex-official addressed one of Ukraine's most politically sensitive wartime taboos by publicly calling for elections, bringing into the mainstream a debate that Kyiv had largely rejected when raised by Russia and the United States.

The ex-official once again reiterated his calls for Ukraine to prepare for "the restoration of the democratic cycle," alluding to elections.

"We need to prepare for its return... It is realistic, and we shouldn't wait until some crisis happens and then desperately search for solutions," he said, referring to elections at the local, parliamentary, and presidential levels.

"I think there are a lot of myths about why elections supposedly cannot be held that could be quickly dispelled so that the process could be organized."

Zelensky dismissed Fedorov during a government reshuffle earlier this year, a decision that sparked nationwide protests.

Fedorov has since rejected other government positions offered by the president, primarily focused on strengthening Ukraine's military technology sector, maintaining that he would only return as defense minister.

Following the initial calls for an election, speculation has grown over whether Fedorov will himself enter the race for president in the next election. When asked, the ex-official remained non-committal around seeking the the country's top post.

"I'll decide whether to support someone, act independently, or not go any further at all," he responded, adding that in the immediate future he plans to transition to work in the private sector, through defense-industry related think tanks, and by teaching university courses on reforms.

Fedorov was regarded as one of the government's most popular ministers and was praised for his reforms and efforts to expand Ukraine's drone capabilities.

"I have a very large team — hundreds of extremely talented people — who are planning their futures and connecting their lives with the projects I will launch. That's invaluable social capital," he concluded.