Fedorov Warns Ukraine Is 'Slowly Losing' War, Demands Urgent Military Reforms

KYIV — Ukraine's former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has warned that the country risks gradually losing its war against Russia unless it makes urgent institutional and strategic changes, according to an interview with Reuters in which he said Kyiv has a window of several months to make decisions capable of turning the tide. It is important to note this is Fedorov's personal assessment, not an independently confirmed judgment that Ukraine is losing the war.

Fedorov said Ukraine lacks an overall vision for how to win the more than four-year-old conflict and has been hobbled by its failure to innovate. He pointed to entrenched corruption, patronage networks and political interference that he said have prevented state institutions from functioning effectively, and according to Kyiv Post, alleged the government was operating at only "5% effectiveness."

Technology and the 'Robotized' Front Line

On technology, Fedorov emphasised developing autonomous drones guided by artificial intelligence, cheap interceptor missiles to counter Russian air attacks, and Ukraine's own ballistic missile programme. He has previously described a shift toward a "robotized front line," with sensors, automated turrets and drones replacing much of the deployed infantry, and future warfare eventually involving battles between AI-controlled autonomous drones.

Reuters reporting noted Russia is striking Ukrainian factories and warehouses with dozens of ballistic missiles a month, which Ukraine is largely unable to intercept as stocks run low, while Russian forces continue slowly advancing in the Donbas, albeit more slowly than last year.

Political Fallout and Budget Disputes

Fedorov, appointed defence minister in January 2026, was dismissed in July after roughly six months in the role. He has said resistance within the ministry to his procurement and tender reforms contributed to his removal, and his sacking followed a public rift with then-commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom Zelenskyy later removed amid street protests demanding Fedorov's reinstatement.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office pushed back on Fedorov's latest remarks, telling Reuters he had spoken positively about the war's conduct while in office and that only his personal position had since changed. Zelenskyy separately said the Defence Ministry faced a $27 billion budget shortfall after Fedorov's ministry brought forward spending meant for the second half of 2026; Fedorov has disputed that figure.

Yevhenii Khmara, a former SBU special-operations commander, was confirmed by parliament as defence minister on August 19. Proposed mobilisation reforms Fedorov championed, including higher pay for assault troops and fixed-term contracts, remain under discussion at the ministry rather than implemented.