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Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Calls for Presidential Elections Amid Ongoing War
Just the facts
The call for elections presents a political challenge to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the active conflict with Russia. Ukrainian law currently prohibits national balloting while martial law remains enacted across the country. Meanwhile, military engagements continued as Russian air strikes killed at least five civilians in Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defense systems intercepted and downed 453 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles overnight across multiple regions.
Why this is news
Ukraine's dismissed defense minister issued a public statement calling for national presidential elections to be conducted. Elections in Ukraine have been formally suspended under martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022.
Developments timeline
- Demonstrators gathered in Kyiv to stage protests supporting former Defense Minister Mykailo Fedorov's call for national presidential elections during the active conflict with Russia.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.