Foreign Media: Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Warns Ukraine Will "Lose the War"

Reference News Network reported on August 29 According to a report by the German newspaper "Daily Mirror" on August 26, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov warned in an interview with Reuters that the Ukrainian army may be quietly heading towards defeat in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine has only a few months left to turn the situation around and develop it in its favor.

Fedorov called for urgent and necessary decisions to be made if Ukraine does not want to slowly lose the war. He believes that the current leadership lacks an overall plan for how to win the war, which is due to a lack of innovative capacity, as well as deep-rooted corruption and nepotism within the national system.

Fedorov was dismissed last month after serving as defense minister for only six months. In July, he clashed with the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and was subsequently removed from office. This move was part of Ukrainian President Zelensky's government reshuffle. Shortly thereafter, protests erupted in Ukraine against the dismissal of this popular reformer.

In the interview, Fedorov stated, "I believe we are at a turning point that will determine the future direction. But it seems that we are slowly and inevitably losing the war." He added that Ukraine still has a "full opportunity" to achieve victory, but urgently needs a plan to end the war.

These remarks are clearly at odds with the mainstream narrative in Kyiv. The Ukrainian presidential office responded to Reuters' inquiry by stating that Fedorov had made positive assessments of the war situation during his tenure as defense minister, and the only change that has occurred is his personal status.

Fedorov has repeatedly emphasized the critical importance of developing autonomous, AI-guided drones and low-cost interceptors to defend against Russian airstrikes; the plan to independently develop ballistic missiles could still help Ukraine turn the tide of the war.

Fedorov believes that electronic sensors for identifying enemy forces can be equipped for frontline troops. He also hopes to minimize personnel involvement by using drones on land and in the air. He lamented to Reuters, "There are technologies that can completely deter the Russian army, but we lack the foresight to utilize them."

Fedorov stated that Ukraine still lacks an overall strategy. Before Russia figures out how to respond to Ukrainian military tactics, Ukraine has a few months' time window to advance its current military operations and drone combat capabilities.

Fedorov has repeatedly criticized the corruption within his country and the Ukrainian leadership. Recently, he called on Kyiv to reappoint him as defense minister. In a recent video, Fedorov also urged Ukraine to discuss the possibility of holding new elections. He is seen as a potential rival to Zelensky in any future presidential elections.

Zelensky rejected his request, stating that holding elections during the war could divide and destroy Ukraine, which would be akin to a "tsunami" for the country. (Translated by Zhong Sirui)