Fedorov: “We are gradually, slowly losing” — Ukraine has a few months

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said that Ukraine is gradually losing its advantage in the war and has only a few months left to make important decisions.

He made the remarks in an interview with Reuters.

According to Fedorov, the main problem lies not only in a shortage of resources but also in the absence of a shared vision of exactly how Ukraine should win.

“I think a turning point has now arrived that will determine our future trajectory, but it seems that we are gradually, slowly losing,” Fedorov said.

The former minister nonetheless stressed that Ukraine still has a chance at victory — but that this requires a clear plan for ending the war and a concrete understanding of how to implement it.

Criticism of the lack of innovation

Fedorov identified one of the key problems as the state’s inability to adopt new technologies quickly enough. He said that technologies capable of significantly changing the situation on the battlefield already exist, but that Ukraine is not using them at the necessary scale.

“The technologies that could completely stop the Russians already exist, but our lack of vision means we are not applying them,” the former defense minister said.

Fedorov proposes deploying a dense network of electronic sensors along the front to detect Russian troops and equipment, as well as expanding the use of drones — both ground-based and aerial — to the maximum extent possible. In his view, this should reduce the need for the direct presence of personnel in places where they can be replaced by technology. The future of the war, the former minister believes, will depend largely on which side automates the process of target detection and engagement more quickly.

The state is operating at 5% of its potential

Fedorov also separately criticized the functioning of the state apparatus. He said that the effectiveness of the state system today stands at only about 5% of what it could deliver. Among the reasons he cited corruption, informal networks of influence, and insufficient political independence of state institutions.

In the former minister’s view, these factors are holding back both reforms and military innovation: technologies may exist, but the state is unable to convert them into a working system quickly enough. Fedorov also noted that Ukraine needs a faster response to changes on the battlefield, since Russia is constantly adapting its tactics.

What Fedorov proposes

In the former minister’s conception, the priority should be placed on a technological model of warfare: people should be present in dangerous zones less and less often, with surveillance systems, drones, and automated complexes performing the bulk of the work. The idea is to create a network that will continuously monitor the battlefield and relay data for further response.

At the same time, Fedorov acknowledges that technology alone is not enough. He said that state-level decisions, prompt funding, transparent rules, and a willingness on the part of commanders to change their approaches are all needed.

Reaction from the Office of the President

The Office of the President responded to the former minister’s statements, noting that during his time as minister Fedorov held a different vision for the development of the state and the defense sector. The Office of the President did not provide a detailed response to each of his arguments.

Fedorov also said he does not rule out running in the upcoming presidential election.