Fedorov obtained a mobilization deferral two days after resigning as defense minister

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov received a mobilization deferral on July 18 — two days after officially leaving his post.

This was reported in his Telegram channel by Verkhovna Rada deputy from the European Solidarity party Oleksiy Honcharenko.

According to Honcharenko, Fedorov obtained the deferral through the Eastern Europe charitable foundation.

“Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has been deferred through the Eastern Europe charitable foundation. He received the deferral on July 18. A month ago,” the deputy’s post states.

Honcharenko questioned why the former official, who is subject to military service and does not have three children, has not signed a contract with an assault unit. The deputy recalled that it was under Fedorov that the Ministry of Defense actively promoted a reform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine involving such contracts.

“But why won’t Mr. Fedorov sign Fedorov’s contracts? What about the 14-month infantry assault contract? With the highest assault soldier’s salary in the world? Why did this option turn out to be worse than a deferral through a charitable foundation?” Honcharenko wrote.

The deputy also recalled that Fedorov never carried out his promised reform of the territorial recruitment centers (TCC).

The Eastern Europe Foundation, through which Fedorov obtained his deferral, was established in 2008 as an independent Ukrainian organization. Prior to that, it was a division of the American Eurasia Foundation, founded in 1992 with USAID funding. The foundation’s main areas of activity are the development of democracy and civil society, the introduction of e-governance, and the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Among its donors is George Soros’s Renaissance foundation.

News of Fedorov’s dismissal from the Ministry of Defense emerged on July 15, and the following day he officially left his post. According to media reports, Volodymyr Zelensky offered Fedorov various positions after his resignation, including the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Technological Development, but Fedorov refused, demanding the return of the defense minister portfolio. He is supported in this by grant organizations originally linked to the U.S. Democratic Party and now patronized by Europe.