Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Kremlin Says Ousted Ukrainian Minister Exposes Kyiv Infighting
Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov criticized Ukraine’s war effort.
He said Ukraine seemed to be slowly losing its war against Russia.
Fedorov said Ukrainian leaders had several months to make important decisions.
He also alleged that corruption and patronage networks were deeply established.
The Kremlin said these comments showed that Kyiv’s leaders were fighting among themselves.
It called this intensifying political infighting.
Fedorov made his remarks to Reuters earlier in the week.
The Kremlin responded on Wednesday.
The Kremlin said Mykhailo Fedorov’s remarks showed Kyiv was consumed by intensifying political infighting.
Fedorov told Reuters that Ukraine appeared to be slowly losing its war against Russia.
He said Kyiv had several months to make key decisions to change the war’s trajectory.
Fedorov criticized what he described as entrenched corruption and patronage networks.
The Kremlin characterized Fedorov’s comments as evidence of internal political conflict in Ukraine.
- Who
- The Kremlin and ousted Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
- What
- The Kremlin interpreted Fedorov’s criticism of Ukraine’s war strategy and alleged corruption as evidence of political infighting in Kyiv.
- When
- The Kremlin made its statement on Wednesday, Aug. 26; Fedorov spoke to Reuters earlier that week.
- Where
- The report was datelined Moscow and concerned political developments in Kyiv and Ukraine.
- Why
- Fedorov said Ukraine needed to make key decisions within several months, while the Kremlin said his remarks revealed intensifying internal conflict.
Kremlin’s Interpretation
Fedorov’s Warnings
Meaning of the remarks
Kremlin’s Interpretation
The Kremlin said Fedorov’s comments demonstrated that Kyiv was consumed by intensifying political infighting.
Fedorov’s Warnings
Fedorov used his remarks to warn about Ukraine’s military position and the need for urgent decisions.
War trajectory
Kremlin’s Interpretation
The Kremlin focused on the political conflict revealed by the former minister’s statements.
Fedorov’s Warnings
Fedorov said Ukraine appeared to be slowly losing the war against Russia and needed to turn the tide.
Governance problems
Kremlin’s Interpretation
The Kremlin presented the allegations as part of evidence of internal discord in Kyiv.
Fedorov’s Warnings
Fedorov complained about what he described as entrenched corruption and patronage networks.
- Responding institution
- The Kremlin
- Ukrainian official
- Ousted Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov
- Fedorov’s war assessment
- Ukraine appeared to be slowly losing the war against Russia
- Time window cited
- Several months to make key decisions
- Concerns raised
- Entrenched corruption and patronage networks
- Kremlin’s interpretation
- The remarks showed intensifying political infighting in Kyiv