Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, arguing that democratic processes cannot be suspended by Russia's invasion. During his six-month tenure, he gained recognition for modernising Ukraine's military, establishing cyber-warfare units, coordinating drone acquisition programmes, implementing anti-corruption measures, and using data-driven approaches to enhance frontline performance.

Fedorov's unexpected dismissal in late July prompted widespread public protests and has emerged as a major political challenge to the presidential administration. His subsequent call for elections reflects concerns about governance and democratic accountability during wartime, whilst his rejection of alternative government positions indicates deeper disagreement about his appropriate role. Ukraine's continuing suspension of electoral processes under martial law remains a central obstacle to his proposal.