Fedorov accuses Zelensky of governance gaps as Ukraine probes inner-circle corruption
The ousted defence minister argues that a new money laundering inquiry demands presidential accountability, while he pushes for direct funding of domestic drone production to bypass allied bureaucratic delays.
Mykhailo Fedorov, who was dismissed as Ukraine’s defence minister last month, has stated that President Volodymyr Zelensky has "questions to answer" regarding corruption within his government. In an interview with the BBC, Fedorov linked these concerns to a money laundering investigation announced last week, which he said raises doubts about the president’s awareness of issues within his inner circle. The former minister, who was fired after reportedly falling out with the head of Ukraine’s armed forces, did not claim the president was personally corrupt but argued that Zelensky bears the responsibility to clarify his knowledge of the affair.
The controversy centres on a scheme uncovered by Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau, which alleged that more than $3m (£2.2m) in Ukrainian currency was misappropriated to pay bail for a former energy minister. A senior official in Zelensky’s office, who was alleged to be involved in the scheme, has since been sacked. Fedorov noted that he had had no contact with the president for a couple of weeks but maintained that his personal experience working with Zelensky did not suggest the president acted against the law or his own sense of integrity.
Beyond the corruption probe, Fedorov has intensified calls for presidential elections despite Ukraine being under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He argued that democracy should not be held hostage by Vladimir Putin, stating that if elections are never held, Ukraine is no longer a democracy. This stance contrasts with Zelensky’s recent remarks, in which the president described wartime elections as a "huge risk" and a "tsunami" that could split the country. Fedorov stopped short of formally declaring his own candidacy, though he declined to rule out a future run for the presidency.
On the defence front, Fedorov criticised "bureaucracy and red tape" in the United Kingdom and other allied nations for delays in supplying promised weapons. The UK has spent £16bn supplying weapons to Ukraine since the war began, and it was confirmed last week that British-made drones have been used to attack Russian targets. Fedorov urged a shift towards direct funding for Ukrainian drone production, arguing that governments are lagging behind the realities on the ground and that timely deliveries are essential to save lives.
Fedorov, who is credited with modernising the armed forces and pioneering drone warfare, confirmed plans to visit the United States in the coming weeks. He aims to meet Elon Musk to discuss extending the Starlink satellite communications system into Russian airspace, a move intended to assist Ukrainian strikes without benefiting the Kremlin. Fedorov emphasised the need to maintain strong ties with leading technology companies to secure their investment in Ukraine’s victory.
The political fallout from Fedorov’s dismissal has seen angry protests that ended on Wednesday after his replacement was confirmed. While his support has reportedly dwindled, the former minister continues to frame the rift as a systemic governance issue. He stated that he would continue to promote new ways to fight the war, relying on his track record of working with international partners to drive policy and technological innovation.
