Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov said Ukraine is gradually losing its conflict with Russia, warning Kyiv has only months to change course.
Fedorov called for an urgent new strategy to end the fighting, claiming that widespread corruption and a lack of clear strategic vision are severely hindering national military efforts.
The former defense chief emphasized that while he previously identified corruption as a major problem for Ukraine, it is merely a symptom of a deeper systemic crisis of governance. He stated that the country has reached a decisive turning point that will shape its future trajectory, but currently appears to be slowly losing ground.
Military technology and government performance
Fedorov stressed the critical importance of developing artificial intelligence based drones, low-cost interceptor missiles, and a domestic ballistic missile program. Unmanned aerial vehicles and missile technology form critical pillars of modern aerial defense and precision targeting operations.
He criticized the government for failing to utilize the country's full potential, rating the efficiency of current authorities at just 5 percent. Fedorov claimed that advanced technologies capable of completely stopping the Russian advance already exist, but Kyiv has failed to deploy them due to shortsightedness.
In response, officials in the Ukrainian presidential administration rejected Fedorov's remarks. The administration stated that during his tenure at the Ministry of Defense, Fedorov routinely offered positive evaluations of the conflict's progress, adding that the only thing that has changed since then is his personal status.
Reactions from Moscow and political aftermath
In Russia, Kirill Dmitriev, special representative to President Vladimir Putin for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, commented on Fedorov's statement. Dmitriev said reality was taking over, false narratives were collapsing, and the search for those responsible for failures had begun.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund serves as Russia's sovereign wealth fund, managing strategic financial assets for foreign economic initiatives.
Fedorov was dismissed from his role as defense minister in July 2026. Following his removal, he repeatedly demanded to be reinstated to the position, while his supporters organized street protests across major Ukrainian cities.
