Ousted Ukraine defense minister urges wartime elections, warning of a governance crisis

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called Tuesday for elections to be held even as the war against Russia continues, saying the country was gripped by a crisis of governance.

The move by one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's most loyal and longstanding team members until recently could become the most significant internal challenge Zelenskyy has faced since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The appeal came in a video address posted to YouTube by Fedorov, who lost his post in July.

“We must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amid a prolonged war,” Fedorov said.

Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately comment on Fedorov’s address.

Ukrainian law prohibits elections while the country is under martial law, which was imposed on Feb. 24, 2022, the day that the Russian invasion began.

Fedorov said the country was facing a systemic crisis in how it is governed, arguing the current system is oriented toward protecting itself and resisting change. He also condemned corruption among officials without naming anyone, saying it had weakened Ukraine’s ability to fight the war.

Fedorov has said he believes a factor in his removal was an overhaul he led of the Defense Ministry’s procurement system, which oversees billions of dollars in equipment purchases.

“Corruption in wartime is not merely a financial issue. It is a matter of our capability to survive and win,” said Fedorov. “Every single hryvnia intended for defense must work for defense. Not for a private pocket.”

Fedorov released the address hours after Ukraine’s Parliament received a submission from Zelenskyy nominating Yevhenii Khmara to be the new defense minister, Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on Facebook Tuesday.

Large crowds of protesters have taken to the streets of Kyiv in support of Fedorov over the past month following his abrupt dismissal. The demonstrations have lost some of their initial force but still draw crowds of thousands during weekend marches, with demonstrators carrying handmade signs demanding Zelenskyy reinstate Fedorov.

People sing and hold up their cell phone flashlights during a rally to protest the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's Defense Minister in Kyiv, late Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

People stand still for a minute of silence during a rally to protest against the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's Defense Minister in Kyiv, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

People march during a rally to protest the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's Defense Minister in Kyiv, late Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

FILE - Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov speaks to journalists during a joint press conference with Sweden's Defense Minister Pal Jonson in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file)

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sonal Dinusha continued his resilient innings and guided Sri Lanka to 175 for 6 at lunch on Day 5 of the first cricket test, holding on as India pushes for the four wickets it needs for victory.

Sri Lanka resumed Wednesday at 84-4, trailing by 287 runs, with Sonal Dinusha — who scored a century in the first innings — not out on 25 and captain Dhananjaya de Silva on 31.

Dinusha survived the morning session, moving to 65 not out from 112 balls and hitting six fours and a six.

India, though, managed to break his long partnership with de Silva, who scored 59, and then snared another wicket as it edged closer to a win.

Sri Lanka needed another 197 runs for an improbable win or to bat through another 65 overs to salvage a draw.

India posted 462 in its first innings and, after dismissing for Sri Lanka for 284 in reply, tallied 193 in its second innings to set the hosts a 372-run chase.

Dinusha and de Silva had batted together for 12.2 overs in the final session on Day 4, and they looked to extend their partnership by cutting down any risky shots. The partnership scored 54 runs in the first hour of play on Wednesday, with both batters going past 50.

Skipper de Silva got there first – 50 off 125 balls – and Dinusha scored his half-century off 77 balls. Their partnership neared the century mark until Ravindra Jadeja provided the breakthrough for India when he had de Silva caught at short fine leg attempting a sweep shot.

Four overs later, India had another wicket when Niroshan Dickwella (10) was caught behind off Prasidh Krishna.

Sri Lanka was just past 150 at that stage, but Keshara Nuwantha faced 27 deliveries to stay unbeaten and keep Dinusha company until the first interval.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

India's captain Shubman Gill celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha plays a shot during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva during the day five of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)