KYIV, Ukraine: Ukraine's ousted defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov called this week for elections to be held even while the war with Russia continues. He said Ukraine is facing a serious crisis in the way the country is being governed.

Fedorov's call, from someone who until recently was one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's closest and longest-serving team members, could become the biggest internal political challenge Zelenskyy has faced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Fedorov appealed in a video address posted on YouTube. He was removed from his position in July.

"We must find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full democratic process even amid a prolonged war," Fedorov said.

Zelenskyy's office did not immediately comment on Fedorov's statement.

Ukrainian law does not allow elections while the country is under martial law. Martial law was imposed on February 24, 2022, the day Russia began its full-scale invasion.

Fedorov said Ukraine was experiencing a systemic crisis in its government. He argued that the current political system was focused on protecting itself and resisting change.

He also criticized corruption among government officials, although he did not name anyone. According to Fedorov, corruption has weakened Ukraine's ability to continue fighting the war.

Fedorov has previously said that his removal may have been linked to the major changes he introduced to the Defense Ministry's procurement system. The system manages billions of dollars in military equipment purchases.

He said corruption during wartime was not only about money but also directly affected Ukraine's ability to survive and win the war. He added that every hryvnia allocated for defense should be spent on defense rather than going into private hands.

Fedorov made the video address only hours after Ukraine's Parliament received a submission from Zelenskyy nominating Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defense minister. Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced the nomination on Facebook on August 18.

Large numbers of protesters have demonstrated in Kyiv in support of Fedorov over the past month following his sudden dismissal.

Although the protests have become smaller than they were initially, thousands of people continue to take part in weekend marches. Demonstrators have carried handmade signs calling on Zelenskyy to restore Fedorov to his position.