Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated in an interview that Ukraine is currently losing its war against Russia and requires immediate strategic shifts to change the conflict's direction. Fedorov, who was dismissed from his post last month, told Reuters that the country has a window of only a few months to implement key decisions, citing a lack of innovation and persistent corruption as primary obstacles.
The comments come after four years of conflict and a period of domestic political tension following Fedorov's removal, which triggered weeks of protests. While at the Ministry of Defence, Fedorov initiated reforms in procurement and mobilization, actions he says led to conflict with established military and political figures. In response to his recent statements, the Ukrainian presidential office said Fedorov had been positive about the war's progress while in office and suggested his outlook changed only after his dismissal.
Fedorov advocated for the deployment of artificial intelligence-guided autonomous drones, ballistic missile programs, and electronic sensors to monitor the frontlines. He argued that while these technologies exist, a lack of unified vision prevents their effective application. Currently, Russia continues a slow advance in the Donbas region and utilizes ballistic missiles against Ukrainian infrastructure, while Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries and military logistics with drone strikes.
The scale of the reported logistical and financial challenge is significant, involving a disputed budget deficit at the Ministry of Defence. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that front-loading spending for drone campaigns created a $27 billion hole in the budget, while Fedorov disputed this figure, claiming his original planning estimated a $5 billion deficit that could be covered by procurement savings and international aid. For a nation heavily dependent on foreign donors, a multi-billion dollar budget discrepancy represents a significant portion of national defense spending that could affect the future supply of equipment and pay for personnel.
Fedorov has also become the first major political figure to call for wartime elections, a move currently prohibited under martial law established after the 2022 invasion. While a July poll showed 82% of Ukrainians believe they will win, most do not expect an end to the fighting until at least 2027. The proposal for elections introduces a new domestic political debate during active conflict, with Zelenskiy arguing such a move could undermine national stability. Fedorov plans to visit the U.S. soon to raise capital for military technology investments, while the Ukrainian government continues to operate under security laws that ban formal voting until further notice.