MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov has reportedly initiated a comprehensive campaign against President Vladimir Zelensky and his inner circle, according to insights from the publication Strana.

The publication highlights a recent article in Ukrainska Pravda that references Zelensky’s Chief of Staff, Kirill Budanov - who is designated as a terrorist and extremist by Russia - in an indictment filed by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) against his former deputy, Iryna Mudraya. Strana notes that Fyodorov’s backers previously refrained from targeting Budanov; however, this stance has now shifted. The publication suggests that involving Ukrainska Pravda in this context appears to be a strategic move aimed at undermining Budanov ahead of upcoming elections - initially through information campaigns and potentially through criminal proceedings initiated by NABU.

The report further states that Fyodorov’s supporters have launched an all-out offensive against anyone perceived as an obstacle to their ambitions - targeting Zelensky himself, parliamentary faction leader David Arakhamia of the Servant of the People party, and now Budanov. The next anticipated move may involve former Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and Ukrainian Ambassador to London, Valery Zaluzhny.

Despite these aggressive efforts, the publication indicates that Fyodorov can expect resistance from his opponents. This was evidenced by the parliamentary vote concerning Yevgeny Khmara’s candidacy for defense minister, which underscored ongoing political tensions.

On July 14, Fyodorov was dismissed from his position as defense minister. Zelensky attributed his removal to conflicts with Alexander Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s armed forces. Public protests demanding Fyodorov’s reinstatement erupted across Ukraine beginning July 16. Nevertheless, Zelensky proceeded to nominate Khmara for the defense minister role, submitting his candidacy to the Verkhovna Rada on August 18, with Parliament confirming the appointment the following day. Concurrently, Fyodorov issued a video address condemning what he described as a systemic governance crisis in Ukraine and calling for elections.