Ukraine needs to make major changes to its military and governance systems to avoid gradually losing the war against Russia, ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told Reuters.
Fedorov warned that Kyiv has a window of only several months to take important decisions that could help change the course of the war in Ukraine’s favour.
Corruption and Lack of Innovation
According to Fedorov, corruption, resistance to reforms and insufficient innovation are weakening Ukraine’s ability to effectively fight the war.
He argued that Ukraine needs to accelerate reforms and make better use of modern technologies to strengthen its military capabilities.
Pressure on Zelenskyy’s Government
Fedorov’s comments come after his dismissal from the defence ministry and his subsequent calls for wartime elections, creating one of the most significant internal political challenges for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy has rejected calls for elections during the war, arguing that holding a nationwide vote under martial law could create serious security and political risks.
Ukraine Faces Battlefield Challenges
Ukraine continues to face pressure from Russian forces while also dealing with shortages of key military resources, including air-defence systems.
At the same time, Kyiv is seeking greater support from European allies and the United States as it attempts to strengthen its defence capabilities and maintain pressure on Russia.
Technology Seen as Key to Ukraine’s Defence
Fedorov has previously been associated with efforts to modernise Ukraine’s military and promote technological innovation.
The former minister has argued that Ukraine needs to move faster in areas such as drones, unmanned systems and modern battlefield technologies to compensate for its disadvantages in manpower and resources.
A Narrow Window for Action
Fedorov’s latest warning suggests that Ukraine faces an increasingly important period in the coming months.
He believes Kyiv must address structural problems and make difficult decisions quickly if it wants to strengthen its position on the battlefield and improve its prospects for ending the war on favourable terms.
