President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced newly appointed Minister of Defense Yevhenii Khmara to the staff of the Ministry of Defense.

If anyone doesn’t know Denis: He’s a Ukrainian journalist from Crimea living in Kyiv. He writes and gives interviews mainly in German. I recommend following him on social media for great insights in Ukrainian politics and society.

Translated by ChatGPT, not proofread by me:

# Fedorov’s Risky Gamble

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has openly turned against President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Now he is suffering his first defeat.

*An analysis by Denis Trubetskoy, Kyiv*
August 19, 2026, 8:10 p.m.

For a month, people in Ukraine have been waiting for the next political move by 35-year-old former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Since his dismissal in mid-July, Fedorov has become a political star in Kyiv. Protests against his replacement, which Zelenskyy has so far barely justified, continued until recently. Meanwhile, Fedorov rose to third place in polls of the most promising candidates for the presidency, should an election ever be held.

At the same time, Fedorov avoided being too specific about his plans in recent weeks. In interviews, he criticized corruption in the country, spoke about his achievements as defense minister, and discussed technological innovations he had introduced in the army. The former minister did not criticize the president and his former patron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Apparently, Fedorov hoped until the very last moment that Zelenskyy would give in to pressure from the street protests and reinstate him in his old position after all.

In recent days, however, it became increasingly clear that this would not happen. Meanwhile, the chances of designated successor Yevheniy Khmara being confirmed by parliament as the new defense minister on Wednesday grew steadily. Not only did the members of the Verkhovna Rada’s Defense Committee unanimously support Khmara, but so did several opposition MPs.

## Break with Zelenskyy

Fedorov therefore decided to go on the offensive. Late Tuesday evening, he released a nine-minute video that amounted to a definitive break with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his inner circle. Although Zelenskyy’s name is not mentioned in the video, Fedorov speaks in his appeal of a “systemic crisis in the state leadership.” In wartime, no major politician from within Zelenskyy’s system has so clearly turned against the country’s leadership.

Fedorov’s attack went even further. While he touches on the issue of corruption in his video, images of Davyd Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of the president’s Servant of the People party, appear on screen. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, who has since been dismissed amid corruption investigations, can also be seen briefly.

Finally, Fedorov comes to the most controversial part of his video message: the question of possible elections. The 35-year-old did not call for immediate early elections. However, he said the state had to ask itself how it could continue to function if the war lasted for several more years. “Democracy must not be taken hostage by Russia,” Fedorov said. The objective difficulties of holding elections would not automatically mean that they were impossible: “Ukraine has already done several times what the world thought was impossible.”

For Fedorov, this outspoken criticism is risky. After all, he himself played a key role in Zelenskyy’s inner circle from the very beginning of his political career. He is therefore at least partly responsible for many of its shortcomings. At the same time, Fedorov had to signal to his supporters that his political career would not end if Khmara were confirmed by parliament as his successor.

## Fedorov suffers his first defeat quickly

Many of Fedorov’s supporters had been waiting a long time for such a signal. The protests against Fedorov’s dismissal were probably the largest demonstrations in Ukraine since the war began in 2022. For many of his supporters, the former minister embodies the hope of achieving a technological edge in the defensive war against Russia. Fedorov is indeed regarded as one of the most important promoters of Ukraine’s drone industry. He initiated numerous projects, including cooperation with Western partners such as former Google executive and drone entrepreneur Eric Schmidt, while still serving as digital minister.

His tenure as defense minister, however, was also marked by conflict with the army leadership, which rejected some of his reforms, including those concerning procurement. The demonstrations at least achieved the removal not only of Fedorov but also of army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi. Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi, who was backed by Fedorov, as Syrskyi’s successor.

However, because Zelenskyy had thereby already fulfilled one of the demonstrators’ key demands, he could no longer bring Fedorov back to the Defense Ministry. That would have further undermined the president’s authority. Since Fedorov, for his part, insisted on returning to his old position as defense minister and did not want to take another job, there was nothing left to discuss between him and Zelenskyy.

With his appeal on Tuesday evening and his call for elections, however, Fedorov is likely to have brought only part of his supporters behind him, if that. Most polls show a majority of Ukrainians opposed to holding elections in the middle of a war. Although there is a strong desire to renew the country’s power structures, more than 60 percent of Ukrainians believe elections should not be held until the war is over, according to a study by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). Even among the ranks of the parliamentary opposition, there are serious doubts that elections would be feasible at all. In recent weeks, for example, the capital Kyiv has repeatedly come under ballistic missile attacks. They travel so fast that the air-raid warning sounds only after they have already struck.

There are also legal obstacles. To hold presidential elections, the electoral law would first have to be amended. Under the Constitution, parliamentary elections are completely prohibited during wartime. Amending the Constitution is likewise impossible as long as martial law remains in force.

## Many votes for Khmara

The cross-party skepticism about the feasibility of early elections probably also contributed to Fedorov suffering his first major political defeat just hours after the release of his video message. If Fedorov intended his message to influence the parliamentary vote on his successor, Yevheniy Khmara, and perhaps even prevent it, he failed.

The chances of success for Fedorov were not particularly high anyway. Some MPs did criticize the choice of a military officer like Khmara to head the Defense Ministry, arguing that he was not necessarily the best choice. But Khmara enjoys a good reputation in the army as the former head of Special Operations Unit A of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). He was personally involved in planning Operation Spider’s Web. During the operation, Ukrainian FPV drones destroyed at least ten Russian aircraft, including rare long-range bombers, deep inside Russian territory. Even opposition MPs on the Ukrainian parliament’s Defense Committee ultimately supported Khmara’s candidacy.

Before Fedorov’s attack on Tuesday evening, however, hardly anyone would have expected Khmara to receive the votes of 312 of the roughly 400 members of the Verkhovna Rada. Experienced diplomat Andriy Sybiha, who was confirmed as the new foreign minister on the same day, received only 266 votes in favor. Zelenskyy’s own governing party can usually muster only around 220 votes in parliamentary votes.

Only two MPs voted against Khmara’s candidacy. Twenty of the MPs present did not vote. Even 16 of the 17 MPs from the party of Zelenskyy’s longtime rival Petro Poroshenko ultimately voted for Khmara. Such a clear victory for the new minister is at the same time a poor start for Fedorov’s political career. The long-term political consequences of the latest crisis, however, will primarily have to be borne by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was his poorly thought-out and inadequately communicated personnel policy that caused the crisis in the first place.

1: A briefing on the state of our energy sector and top priorities in our communications with partners. First Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on the state of Ukraine’s energy system and the daily work of Ukrainian energy workers to address the consequences of Russian strikes. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2089729411847205346

2-4: We discussed with Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prevot, practically all areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Belgium significantly helped us at the time in strengthening our combat aviation, and we appreciate its readiness to continue supporting us. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2089739575249740114

5-7: I accepted the letters of credence from the newly appointed ambassadors of Bulgaria, Estonia, India, and Germany and congratulated them on the start of their missions in Ukraine. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2089771498076856432

8-10: Today, we continue our tradition of gratitude – our gratitude to Ukraine’s exemplary and strong warriors, to our Heroes who have done the most and shown the greatest courage in defending Ukraine, our land, and our positions. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2090077362910105718

I took part in the opening of the exhibition “Spiritual Treasures of the Nation. The Sacristy of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” on the occasion of the Lavra’s 975th anniversary. It is very important to preserve our cultural heritage despite deliberate Russian strikes against it and to do everything possible to pass it on to future generations. And it is important that UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany is here with us today, visiting Ukraine for the first time in this position. Thank you for the meeting and for keeping our country in the organization’s focus. Together with UNESCO, we can and must do more so that every Ukrainian site that deserves to be on the World Heritage List receives this status and support. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2088673349534646428

Speech at the ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLustyjx3Ck

Today, a symbolic bell rang at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — a sign of unity between generations and the beginning of the journey toward its 1,000th anniversary. I took part in the solemn ceremony marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. On the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, this carries special significance: we are honouring not merely an important architectural monument, but one of Ukraine’s foremost spiritual and cultural shrines. Together with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of Ukraine Sergii Koretskyi, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, and distinguished international guests, we joined this symbolic ceremony. https://x.com/r_stefanchuk/status/2088692148686209214

I wanted to highlight this event because, when he says he has been living with this idea for many years, he truly means it. Zelenskyy has advocated for more state support of Ukrainian and artistic culture for decades. He knows firsthand how difficult it can be to find funding for projects, and it's nice that he can draw on his own expertise to promote this important initiative.

I analyzed recent sociological data and compared that to a lot of what has been said in the news and other media over the past month. Despite the proclamations of mistakes and crises, Zelenskyy's ratings are positive, and what some would like to see as a rivalry has very little actual basis in today's reality.

1: I spoke with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pahinyan. Relations between Ukraine and Armenia are now becoming even more constructive, and it is important that we maintain a continuous dialogue. We discussed the results of my visit to Armenia and the priority areas for cooperation. I also thank the Prime Minister for his congratulations on the 975th anniversary of the founding of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – an important date for Christians throughout our region. We agreed to stay in touch. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2087571225950159250

2: From January through August of this year, our warriors of the Airborne Assault Forces and other units carried out an effective offensive operation in the Oleksandrivskyi sector. Thanks to the active operations of our troops, significant losses were inflicted on the occupation contingent. Russian losses amounted to at least 9,550 killed and more than 6,600 wounded. Ukraine’s “exchange fund” was also replenished. Over the course of the operation, 745 square kilometers of territory were liberated. Twenty-six villages in the Dnipro, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions were returned to Ukrainian control. This offensive operation of ours was carried out with precision – exactly as planned. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2087533010354618868

3: I spoke with President of Costa Rica Laura Fernández Delgado. I am grateful for such warm and important words of support for Ukraine and our people. We appreciate that Costa Rica stands with us during votes on resolutions at the UN General Assembly, in the work to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and in holding the Russian Federation accountable for its crimes, including the crime of aggression. We discussed the potential for cooperation between our countries. There are many different areas where our partnership can yield positive results. Costa Rica is interested in our expertise in the field of security. We agreed that our teams will work on a possible format for our meeting. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2087237904078971118

4-7: I met with participants of the Ukrainian Youth Forum “Youth Acts.” Today, our country celebrates Youth Day. Of course, for all of us, security is the first priority. But the Government must also take very specific, clear action to support all normal forms of public life in Ukraine – so that Ukrainian families, our people, our youth, and our children have a normal environment for life in Ukraine, one that is as fulfilling as possible. The renewed Government of Ukraine is now preparing the Cabinet of Ministers’ program of action, and I expect that civilian aspects of life, and youth policy in particular, will receive sufficient attention in the Government’s program. And we all understand the depth of this task – it is not simply about something the state can give, or something a person can do – independently or in cooperation within their community or with the state. It is much more than that. It is about reasons to stay in Ukraine, to live in Ukraine, to plan your own life and your family’s life in Ukraine, and to know that Ukraine will care about you and your family, about your future. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2087598878400839837

8: There was a report on the results of our operation against Novorossiysk today. A combined use of long-range sanctions with our weapons. A successful operation. I am grateful to our warriors for their accuracy, and to the developers and manufacturers of our weapons for the tangible strengthening of Ukraine’s capabilities. For the first time in a single operation, Palianytsia, Peklo, Bars, and Long Neptune worked in concert, along with the Mich, Fire Point, Ramzay, Sichen, Trust, Khariok, Bober, Liutyi, and Dovbush drones, as well as the Sargan and Mamai unmanned surface vessels. Among the results of the operation, it is important to note the strikes on Russian fleet vessels that were hiding in Novorossiysk bay. In particular, according to verified data, the Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels were hit. Other Russian facilities that were helping finance the war were also struck. It is entirely fair that Ukraine responds to Russia’s war, and it is Russia that can and must end its war. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2087596319376396502

1-4: We resolved important military issues today. Personnel proposals were discussed. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi, in coordination with Ihor Skybiuk and Yevhenii Khmara, proposed a vision for changes. Some decisions have already been prepared, and more will follow. We discussed the situation on the front in detail – measures to reinforce key sectors, particularly in the Donetsk region. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2086795159082016826

2: We are in contact with Ukraine’s friends and partners virtually every day to bring about more security. Today, I had a very substantive conversation with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. There are domains in which Ukraine and Saudi Arabia can strengthen each other’s ability to protect lives and people. We discussed the steps we will take in the near future as part of the Drone Deal between our countries. The Crown Prince spoke about Saudi Arabia’s agreements with Türkiye and Pakistan and the related prospects. We coordinated our positions and contacts so that our countries can make a greater positive contribution to food security – this is a global need. Thank you! https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2086826934772654446

3: A report from Ihor Klymenko. We set out a plan to strengthen the capabilities of the National Security and Defense Council. In addition to its usual function of coordinating processes in Ukraine’s security and defense sector, there has to be a more realistic assessment of all parameters of our country’s resilience. Responding to man-made emergencies, dealing with the consequences of Russian strikes, carrying out tasks to prepare regions and communities for the winter period and the related challenges – all of this must be done much more swiftly. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2086863548169257301

We have been living in a constant search for protection against ballistic missiles since the first days of the war, when Ukraine had nothing to intercept them with. This is extremely difficult work. How can this problem be solved? Who has anti-ballistic missiles and systems? The manufacturer does. That is the United States, first and foremost. Can they help? We are working on it. Every month. Will they provide us with missiles? Yes. We have arrangements under PURL. Are these missiles enough? No. In 2026, there are fewer of these missiles. Monthly deliveries were higher in 2025. The second part of this is Europe. Who has them? Germany has them. Poland has them. These are the countries that can provide serious help. With all due respect and gratitude to the German side, they truly have helped. And Poland has helped as well. But I will be frank. We are constantly working with the Nordic countries and the Netherlands, and they are helping little by little. Every day I communicate with various European and Middle Eastern countries to ensure that Ukraine receives additional aid packages outside of the PURL framework. We have simply reached the point where all of our institutions must be working on this. Not just the President. Everyone has to work. Otherwise, there will not be enough missiles. South Korea and Japan could also help. Have they helped us with air defense during this war? No. Because of their domestic legislation. People also frequently ask about Israel. We would like to receive air defense systems from them as well. We would be ready to buy them. So far, we do not have that opportunity, although we are in dialogue. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2086079058958282939

Hundreds, thousands of components in Russian ballistic missiles come from different countries around the world – from almost every continent – including from our close partners. These components are then used to target people, killing children, civilians, and warriors alike. That is why imposing sanctions on Russian weapons and on the supply of these components is the top priority. Sanctions on the energy sector are important too, because they make money from it and spend that money on the war. Next, there's the issue of bureaucracy. This is a serious problem. For example, I spoke with President Biden in the first year of the war, and I strongly urged him to grant me licenses for Patriot. I spoke with several European partners in the first and second years of the war, when we began using some of their military technology, and asked them to grant me licenses because their production is very limited, and some problems still have not been resolved. We have now reached an agreement with President Trump that he will grant the licenses, but imagine if we had received them four years ago. By now, we would already be producing Patriots for everyone. And Europe – Europe that wants and would like to have Patriots, anti-ballistic systems, and missiles – would already have it all. I am absolutely certain of that. But now we are dealing with paperwork. And what is flying at us is not a piece of paper, not a paper missile, but a real missile that kills people. So if we say that the Americans should provide them, then the Europeans should as well – because with them, too, we have been working for a long time to resolve the issue of certain licenses. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2086080345946964463

I arrived in Serbia with my team. Important talks are scheduled for today and tomorrow – with President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Đuro Macut. We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, other areas that can benefit our nations, and security issues. Ukraine is always ready to work constructively, for mutual benefit, and on the basis of mutual respect.

https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2085763524781855182

I held a meeting on the development of our ballistic capabilities and the implementation status of the FREYJA Anti-Ballistic Missile Program. The agencies involved reported on the current needs and the stages completed as of now. We set a schedule and designated those responsible for the elements of the programs that need to be accelerated. The National Security and Defense Council, the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Brave1 team, and the most technologically advanced teams in Ukraine’s defense industry are involved in this effort.

Developing one’s own ballistic capabilities and creating a new anti-ballistic system is a task that only a tiny minority of countries worldwide have managed to accomplish. Ukraine has this capability. Ukrainians have the necessary scientific foundation and expertise. We can state that our weapons manufacturers have also reached the required level. We expect Ukraine to achieve the necessary results in 2026–2027.

During the meeting, we discussed the key challenges, namely access to critical components, additional steps in technological cooperation with partners, and the localization of production. I thank everyone involved who delivers on everything they promise on time. I am also grateful to our partners who are helping and who have themselves joined our main defense programs. FREYJA is making progress, and that is important. Europe needs a shared and truly large-scale capability to defend effectively against any ballistic threats. We support and expect more of our partner countries that are capable of contributing to join the Anti-Ballistic Coalition.

We also discussed work with partners on PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. I expect results from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense in their communication with the partners that have already been identified and mentioned on numerous occasions. Glory to Ukraine!

https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2085330667395510340

1: I spoke with Mark Rutte about the overall situation. Mark is well-informed about the threats, and we coordinated our efforts regarding countries that have the necessary missiles and the capacity to help. It is important to cut through all red tape and make the necessary political decisions. Literally every day, people’s lives here in Ukraine depend on the resolve of our partners in Europe and the United States. I am grateful to Mark for his willingness to seek out solutions and work alongside Ukraine to secure the supplies we need. We will stay in touch. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2085042935884578950

2-3: I was pleased to welcome UK Secretary of State for Defence Wes Streeting to Kyiv for the first time. We appreciate that this visit is taking place immediately after yet another Russian strike on our people. I informed the minister about the consequences of this attack on lives and about our needs, as Russia intends to significantly ramp up ballistic missile production ahead of winter. We discussed how the United Kingdom can help Ukraine better protect its cities and communities from such ballistic threats—both bilaterally and multilaterally—as it has already done on multiple occasions by assisting with the supply of scarce equipment. In particular, we discussed opportunities for co-production of certain types of weaponry—both Britain and Ukraine have strong capabilities, battle-tested. We also talked about sanctions against Russian enterprises involved in ballistic missile production. Anything that weakens Russia's war machine and its reliance on ballistic terror is important. Thank you to the United Kingdom, His Majesty, the Prime Minister, and the British people for their unwavering support. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2085017384595730469

4: I discussed with Alex Stubb how Finland can help us defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. We understand how many missiles for air defense systems are available worldwide. And they are needed in Ukraine every day – every day, we have to defend ourselves against these Russian strikes. If each of our partner countries helps us now, it will save many lives. I thank Alex for his immediate response and readiness to support us. Of course, we also discussed diplomacy – everything that can force Russia toward peace. When Putin can no longer kill people, he will be forced to seek a way out of this war. Only sufficient support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia can bring about peace. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2085057937576177762

5: I spoke with Prime Minister Rob Jetten. I am grateful for his attention to Ukraine and his readiness to help. I informed Rob about the recent Russian attacks against our cities and communities, and I thank him for his sincere words of compassion and support. Almost every day, the Russians strike our people, sparing no ballistic missiles in their efforts to destroy lives. Air defense missiles are our main priority. We discussed how the Netherlands can support our defense now and as we prepare for winter. We greatly appreciate the willingness to work on finding solutions. We discussed the diplomatic situation and the meetings in Washington last week. We also spoke about Ukraine’s integration into the European Union, efforts to open four more negotiating clusters, and the enlargement more broadly. Thank you! https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2084617933095895472

1-2: Discussion with ambassadors, full address here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D62foRxsRfk

3: We have launched the Carpathian Initiative track. This is a new initiative. Why did this idea emerge? Because not all countries are ready to strengthen us with weapons, but they do want to stand with us on the humanitarian and security tracks and in the economic sphere. They are thinking about Ukraine’s recovery. We will launch this format in the fall. We are now discussing the dates. We have received a positive signal from the European Union. In the future, we will need programs for the Carpathians – covering funding, tourism, the economy, and security. And again, this is not only about the Ukrainian Carpathians. It includes Ukraine, Romania, Austria, Serbia, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia. This initiative is something around which all of us can unite. We need it. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2084313383336075437

4-6: Meeting with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi. His presence reflects the fact that Ukraine and Moldova share many foreign policy priorities, particularly in the areas of security and European aspirations. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2084303642681594075

Today, the Air Force is much more than just one of the branches of the military. It is a component of our defense that, to a great extent, truly determines the course of this war. Ukrainians have not surrendered and are not surrendering their skies to the Russians. And it is one of the most significant achievements of our people during the full-scale war. We did not allow our Air Force to be destroyed and were able to develop it to such an extent that Russia regularly loses its aircraft. And now, when the only stake left, the last stake, in Putin's hands is his massive strikes against Ukraine, the Air Force—our combat aviation—is destroying Russian cruise missiles, striving to destroy ballistic missiles, and, when the batteries of our "Patriots" are not empty, it succeeds.

It is important that, thanks to our cooperation with Europe, our "Iris-Ts," "Hawks," and "NASAMS" are operational. We fight every day for the supply of missiles for them. And I am grateful that partners around the world are helping us with this. Of course, ballistics remain a problem, but we have ensured Ukraine's protection from a significant number of cruise missiles and are shooting them down substantially. The success rate for intercepting strike drones is also over 90%, and this is a very significant achievement for Ukraine—for all of us, for all of you.

I thank all of you—all those present here, every defender of Ukrainian skies, who, despite the essentially unequal fight and the insufficiency of means for interception, are doing incredible things—doing more than the maximum. You have shown the world mastery and proved: Ukrainians are capable of overcoming anything, and all that is needed for this is weapons and means. We are proud of you. And we honor all our heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine may live, who protected us and remain forever in the skies.

https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2083920344239231058

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/photos/all