Ex-DM Fedorov won the information war against the presidential office – analyst

“There are many conspiracy theories that Mykhailo Fedorov is actually [a dummy candidate – ed.],” Leonov said. “However, the way these events have played out disrupted Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office-centric presidential republic, and the situation is becoming uncontrollable.”

Leonov argued that Fedorov acted as a politician when he held a press briefing following his resignation.

“All ministers should have done this, but none did,” the political analyst explained. “However, Mykhailo Fedorov spoke out, and the contrast was striking – especially given how badly the presidential office bungled the communications surrounding his dismissal. We can now say that Fedorov won a landslide victory in the media battle against the presidential office, and this standoff is turning into real political capital.”

Leonov also emphasized that Fedorov is unlikely to be working with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noting that Zelenskyy “simply does not forgive these kinds of things.” He added that officials only return to the president's inner circle if they accept their dismissal “quietly and without causing a scene.”

“Fedorov did not do that, and it is clear he will not return to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team anytime soon – I think we can say that with certainty.” the analyst added. “This is further proven by Fedorov's video address, where he highlighted the vulnerabilities in Zelenskyy's system of governance without naming him directly. However, the public has now reached a point where they hold the Ukrainian president directly responsible for many issues, particularly corruption.”

Fedorov’s dismissal, public outcry, and the former minister’s video address

The Ukrainian parliament dismissed the entire government, including then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, on July 14.

Street protests backing Fedorov and demanding the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi began in Kyiv and other cities on July 16.

Fedorov held a press briefing later that day, detailing the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, outlining his conflict with Syrskyi, and addressing the systemic military issues that fueled the standoff.

The president replaced Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi and held several meetings with Fedorov, offering him various positions, including vice prime minister for military innovation.

Fedorov announced on July 31 that he will not oppose President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the war, but made it clear he won't return to the cabinet unless he gets his old job as defense minister back.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel on August 18, Fedorov said Ukraine must hold elections.

Fedorov said the state must ensure voting access for military personnel, the millions of Ukrainians displaced abroad, and citizens living in front-line areas.

“What if the war lasts another year, or two, or three – does Russia then effectively hold the right to determine when Ukrainians can once again choose their government? I am convinced the answer is no,” he said. “Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We are fighting precisely because we want to remain a free European state.”

Fedorov also commented on the protests against his dismissal, which have now been ongoing for a month.

“People cannot live indefinitely in a state where they do not understand why certain decisions are made,” Fedorov said. “They don't understand why some reforms move forward while others are blocked, or why urgent frontline decisions stall in government offices for months.

“It is especially dangerous when the public begins to feel that the main criterion for an appointment is personal loyalty to the system, rather than professionalism, results, or the ability to transform the country.”

He said Ukraine must build a state where institutions are stronger than names, results matter more than political loyalty, and fighting corruption is the key to the country's future.

“Ukraine's problem is certainly not its people,” the former official said. “Our people have long been ready for a different country. Now, our state must become worthy of its citizens.”