Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Sunday that holding elections during wartime would act as a political tsunami
capable of splitting the country, rejecting a surprise call for a vote from his recently dismissed defense minister as Russia intensifies missile strikes and military mobilization efforts.
Political Shockwaves and the Ouster of Mykhailo Fedorov
Kyiv has spent the summer engulfed in a political crisis following the dismissal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a reformer who had won public acclaim as a vocal proponent of drone warfare. Fired by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Fedorov sparked widespread protests from younger Ukrainians demanding his reinstatement.
The tension escalated dramatically when the ousted minister issued a public call to find a way to organize a wartime presidential election. It marked the most open challenge to Zelenskyy’s authority from inside the country since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. While Fedorov did not explicitly state he intended to run, the unexpected push alienated even some of his supporters and led Zelenskyy to criticize his former ally sharply.
“I believe he is going himself – or being pushed – toward wrong things.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via INKL
Zelenskyy revealed that he had offered Fedorov four alternative government roles, all of which were rejected. Observers noted that while Fedorov’s push made elections a vibrant domestic question, it did little to make an immediate vote feasible. A poll found that only 15 percent of Ukrainians believe elections should be held before the end of hostilities.
Why Wartime Ballots Remain Legally and Logistically Impractical
Elections have remained suspended under martial law since the start of the conflict, a measure that continues to draw broad public support. Lawmakers and political analysts emphasize that staging a national vote under current conditions presents insurmountable logistical barriers.
Experts highlight the immense practical challenges of allowing active-duty soldiers on the frontline, millions of refugees displaced abroad, and residents living under Russian occupation to cast their ballots safely.
Zelenskyy stated that he would support a vote only if Ukraine’s allies could establish specific, secure conditions guaranteeing participation without the constant threat of enemy shelling. Without those safeguards, he argued, an election would fracture the state from within.
“I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk. Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via Daily Sabah
Escalating Missile Deficits and European Air Defense Pledges
The domestic political friction unfolds against a backdrop of intensified Russian military pressure.
Ukraine relies heavily on US-made Patriot air defense systems to intercept advanced Russian ballistic missiles such as the Iskander-M and Kinzhal.
“Over the entire of 2023, Ukraine received 675 missiles, and over all of 2025 – 364, even though Russian missile strikes have increased. For 2026, as currently projected, it is 264.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via INKL
To help bridge the gap, Zelenskyy secured an agreement with Germany during a visit by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul for the supply of approximately 600 PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors slated for 2027 through 2028.
Anticipating Russian Troop Mobilization and Frontline Realities
Zelenskyy stated that Russia is considering conscripting an additional 300,000 soldiers following parliamentary elections in September, aiming to regain momentum along an otherwise deadlocked frontline.
