Zelensky has 'questions to answer' about corruption in his government, sacked minister says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faces "questions to answer" regarding corruption within his administration, according to his recently dismissed defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who spoke to the BBC.

Fedorov, a well-regarded minister credited with modernizing the armed forces and pioneering drone warfare, was removed from his post last month, reportedly due to a disagreement with the head of Ukraine's military. He informed the BBC that a money laundering investigation, announced the previous week, raised concerns about Zelensky's awareness of potential corruption among his close associates.

While Fedorov reiterated that "democracy should not be the hostage of Putin," he refrained from declaring his own political aspirations, despite having posted a video days earlier advocating for elections in Ukraine. When asked if he missed his former role, the 35-year-old responded with a definitive "No," citing the immense stress of managing Ukraine's war with Russia while simultaneously transforming its defense ministry.

The protests concluded on Wednesday, following the confirmation of Fedorov's replacement, just hours after he uploaded a YouTube video calling for political reform. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, which has led to the suspension of elections. However, Fedorov asserted that it was his "moral right" to initiate discussions about elections. "We should not be afraid of discussing it. That's what democracy is all about. If I cannot share my ideas and be open about them with my own society, then what are we fighting for?" he questioned. He further stated that if elections were never held, "then we are no longer a democracy."

In his earlier video statement, Fedorov had argued that "people cannot endlessly live in a state where they do not understand why certain decisions are made." He avoided directly criticizing the president and declined to state whether he would support Zelensky in any future election.

Fedorov's video, which highlighted political corruption last week, coincided with the announcement of a money laundering investigation targeting lawmakers and bankers. Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau revealed that it had uncovered a scheme to misappropriate over $3 million (£2.2 million) in Ukrainian currency to cover bail for a former energy minister accused of money laundering. A senior official in Zelensky's office, allegedly implicated, was subsequently dismissed.

Fedorov stated that this case raised questions about the president's knowledge of potential corruption within his inner circle. "Let him answer this question... I believe that he's ready for such questions. It's his responsibility to tell us all whether he was aware of all that or not... I don't want to make any assumptions."

A spokesperson for the president told BBC News: "Since the former minister was part of every government since 2019, it's strange that he phrases it as though these were somehow different governments without him. As everyone remembers, we didn't hear any strong statements from him back then."

Fedorov claimed he had successfully eliminated elements of corruption from defense procurement but warned that it continued to impact Ukraine's frontline capabilities. The former minister stated he had not been in contact with the president for "a couple of weeks" and possessed no evidence that the president was personally corrupt. "In all the time that I worked with him, not a single time have I received from him any task or assignment that would go against law or my sense of integrity. So that's my personal experience with him."

As defense minister and previously digital transformation minister, Fedorov is credited with innovative approaches, such as replacing soldiers with an "army of drones," which has saved lives on the battlefield and enabled long-range Ukrainian strikes on Russian military targets, oil refineries, and distribution warehouses thousands of kilometers beyond the border. He confirmed his intention to continue promoting new methods of warfare and announced an upcoming visit to the United States in the coming weeks, where he hopes to meet Elon Musk.

The billionaire businessman's Starlink satellite communications system has been crucial to Ukraine's success. Fedorov aims to persuade Musk to extend the technology into Russian airspace to aid Ukrainian strikes, without allowing the Kremlin to benefit from access. "The best tech companies in the world are supporting us and they will be investing in our victory, in ending this war. And we need to stay in touch with them regardless of my position. I have a previous successful track record of working with them and I need to stay in touch with them for my country," he explained.

Fedorov criticized the bureaucracy in the UK and other nations supporting Ukraine, citing it as a cause for delays in weapon supplies. The UK has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, spending £16 billion on weapon provisions since the war began. Last week, it was confirmed that British-made drones have been used in attacks on Russian targets. Fedorov expressed gratitude for British support but attributed "bureaucracy and red tape" to delays in receiving promised equipment. "Governments are lagging behind the realities on the ground. It's not only the issue for UK, but for other countries as well that announce some assistance and we are not getting it until the end of the year."

Fedorov urged direct funding for the latest Ukrainian drone production, rather than relying on outdated skills and equipment from other nations: "We don't need repairs of tanks when we no longer use tanks." He emphasized that timely deliveries would not only save Ukrainian lives. "Unfortunately, our losses, our blood, our military experience is beneficial to all of you guys. You can get this experience for all the assistance that you give us."

Fedorov denied having immediate political ambitions but did not rule out a future presidential run. "It will all depend on how soon we'll be able to relaunch this democratic election process, [...] how much energy I would have, whether I will preserve my team, whether I will be able to respond to the question myself, whether I can handle this position of the president or not. What's more important, is whether people will tell me, yeah, we can trust you handling that position."