Ex-Defense Minister: Ukraine is 'Gradually Losing' War Against Russia Amid Corruption

Ukraine is "gradually, slowly losing" its war against Russia, warns former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who served until a month prior to his statement. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Fedorov described Ukraine as being at a critical juncture, with only a few months to make crucial decisions that could alter the war's trajectory. His assessment marks a stark departure from Kyiv's official optimistic rhetoric. Fedorov believes Ukraine lacks a comprehensive vision for victory, hampered by a failure to innovate, deep-rooted corruption, patronage networks, and a lack of political independence within government institutions. "It seems we are gradually, slowly losing," Fedorov stated, as reported by Reuters. He emphasized that Ukraine still has a chance to win, but only if it quickly develops a clear plan to end the conflict and rectifies its internal weaknesses. The Ukrainian presidential office responded to Fedorov's critique, noting that he previously offered positive assessments of the war's progress while leading the Defense Ministry and that his current stance reflects his changed personal status. Fedorov's warning comes as Russian forces continue to make slow advances in the Donbas region, albeit at a lower pace than in previous years. Ukraine faces personnel shortages on some front lines and is under pressure from Russian missile attacks on its factories and warehouses, with dwindling interceptor missile supplies. However, the conflict is not entirely one-sided. Ukraine has intensified drone and missile attacks deep into Russian territory, targeting military factories and causing significant damage to oil refineries, contributing to fuel shortages. Fedorov's assessment, therefore, is a political and military evaluation of the war's direction, not a declaration of Russian victory. Reuters describes the battlefield as complex, with Russia advancing slowly in Donbas while Ukraine continues to inflict significant damage.

“

It seems we are gradually, slowly losing.