--- title: "Zelensky warns wartime elections risk splitting Ukraine" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-warns-wartime-elections-risk-splitting-ukraine" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/zelensky-warns-wartime-elections-risk-splitting-ukraine" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-warns-wartime-elections-risk-splitting-ukraine.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/zelensky-warns-wartime-elections-risk-splitting-ukraine" category: "Politics" area: "Ukraine" published: "2026-08-23T12:25:17.830Z" source_reported: "2026-08-23T11:53:17.000Z" updated: "2026-08-23T12:25:17.830Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 59 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-23T12:15:35.686231+00:00" --- # Zelensky warns wartime elections risk splitting Ukraine *Ukrainian president cites 'tsunami' risk in response to calls for a vote during ongoing conflict.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Zelensky, with multiple outlets reporting his statements. - Craft 59 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets provide digests, limiting the depth of reporting and analysis. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'Tsunami' and 'Tear Apart' but the body is generally factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said holding elections during wartime is a significant risk that would divide the country. - Zelensky described potential elections as a 'tsunami' that would 'tear apart' Ukraine. - His comments were a response to a call for elections from former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. - Ukrainian law prohibits elections during a state of war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that holding elections during the ongoing war poses a great risk and would split the country. He described the prospect of elections as a 'tsunami' that would 'tear apart' or 'break' Ukraine. Zelensky made these remarks in response to a call for elections from former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Ukrainian law prohibits elections from being held during a state of war. One report also mentioned Zelensky's estimate that Russia plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 troops after September elections. ## Disagreement on election timing While Zelensky stated that holding elections during wartime is a risk, one report notes that his term expires in May 2024. This report also states that Ukrainian law prohibits elections during a state of war. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the estimate by President Zelensky that Russia plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 troops after September elections. None of the centre-rated digests mention this estimate. None of the right-rated digests mention this estimate. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 56% (5) - Centre: 11% (1) - Right: 33% (3) 10 of 19 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-23T12:15:35.686231+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-23T12:30:31.098Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports focused on President Zelensky's warning that elections during wartime would 'tear apart' or 'break' Ukraine. These reports highlighted his description of potential elections as a 'tsunami'. Several of these digests mentioned that Zelensky's remarks were in response to a call from former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov for elections. One report noted that Zelensky's term expires in May 2024 and that Ukrainian law prohibits elections during a state of war. ### Centre - The centre-rated report led with President Zelensky's statement that a wartime election would 'destroy' the country by splitting Ukrainians. It noted his comments were released to reporters on Sunday and were his first on the subject since former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for a wartime poll. ### Right - The right-rated reports focused on President Zelensky's assertion that a wartime election would 'destroy' or 'split' Ukraine. These digests mentioned that his comments were made in response to a call for a wartime poll by former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. One report stated that the Ukrainian population has been living in uncertainty for over four years due to Russian terror. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 8 - unknown: 10 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Hospodářské Nnoviny (HN.cz)](https://zahranicni.hn.cz/c1-67920160-zelenskyj-volby-by-nyni-rozstepily-by-ukrajinu-byly-by-pro-stat-jako-cunami) — Zelensky: Elections Now Would Split Ukraine. They Would Be Like a Tsunami for the State - [Politico Europe](https://politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-elections-would-tear-ukraine-apart) — Zelenskyy: Elections would ‘tear Ukraine apart’ - [LaProvence.com](https://laprovence.com/article/france-monde/4648474841190214/ukraine-zelensky-rejette-des-elections-un-tsunami-qui-fracturerait-le-pays) — Ukraine: Zelensky Rejects Elections, a "Tsunami that Would Break" Country - [Cyprus Mail](https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/08/23/wartime-election-would-destroy-ukraine-zelenskiy-says) — Wartime election would ‘destroy’ Ukraine, Zelenskiy says - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/wartime-election-would-destroy-ukraine-zelenskiy-says) — Wartime election would 'destroy' Ukraine, Zelenskiy says - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/23/wartime-election-would-destroy-ukraine-zelenskiy-says) — Wartime election would ‘destroy’ Ukraine, Zelenskiy says - [vijesti.me](https://vijesti.me/svijet/evropa/823296/zelenski-izbori-tokom-rata-bili-bi-opasni-za-ukrajinu) — Zelensky: Elections During the War Would Be Dangerous for Ukraine - [Liberation](https://liberation.fr/international/europe/en-ukraine-zelensky-juge-que-des-elections-en-temps-de-guerre-seraient-un-tsunami-pour-le-pays-20260823_E24VNGNPWFCDXJWPAE2KAV6OVA) — In Ukraine, Zelensky Believes that Elections in Times of War Would Be "a Tsunami" for the Country - [telex.hu](https://telex.hu/kulfold/2026/08/23/zelenszkij-valasztas-ukrajna-haboru-veszely) — Zelenskyy Says Holding Elections During War Would Be Extremely Dangerous - [Stirile Pro TV](https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/international/alegerile-in-timp-de-razboi-un-risc-enorm-zelenski-crede-ca-ar-putea-fractura-ucraina.html) — Elections During the War, a "Huge Risk for Ukraine," Believes Volodimir Zelenski: Could Fracture the Country - [444.hu](https://444.hu/2026/08/23/zelenszkij-szerint-ha-valasztasokat-rendeznenek-a-haboru-alatt-az-szetszakitana-ukrajnat) — Zelensky Says Holding Elections During War Would Tear Ukraine Apart - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3040231/zelensky-contra-eleicoes-risco-enorme-que-dividiria-a-ucrania) — Zelensky Against Elections: "A Huge Risk" that "Divided Ukraine" - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/externe/zelenski-spune-ca-organizarea-de-alegeri-ar-pune-tara-in-pericol-un-tsunami-care-ar-fractura-ucraina-800446.html) — Zelenski Says the Election Organization Would Put the Country at Risk. "A Tsunami that Would Break Ukraine." - [levif.be](https://levif.be/international/ukraine/live/guerre_en_ukraine/volodymyr-zelensky-balaie-de-potentielles-elections-un-tsunami-qui-fracturerait-lukraine-546137) — Volodymyr Zelensky Sweeps of Potential Elections: a "Tsunami" that Would "Fracture Ukraine" - [24 HU](https://24.hu/kulfold/2026/08/23/zelenszkij-valasztas-ukrajna-haboru) — Zelensky: Holding Elections During War Would Be Extremely Dangerous - [.týždeň - iný pohľad na spoločnosť](https://tyzden.sk/svet/138365/zelenskyj-odmietol-volby-v-case-vojny-rozdelili-by-vraj-ukrajinu) — Zelensky Rejected Elections During Wartime, Saying They Would Divide Ukraine - What Does that Mean According to Martin Mojžiš - [De Telegraaf](https://telegraaf.nl/buitenland/live-zelenski-vindt-verkiezingen-te-gevaarlijk-in-oorlogstijd-het-zal-oekrane-splitsen/160387852.html) — Zelenskyy Considers Elections 'Too Dangerous' in Wartime: 'It Will Split Ukraine' - [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/08/23/world/oukrania-oi-ekloges-tha-itan-ena-tsounami-pou-tha-diaspasei-ti-xora-ektimise-o-zelenski) — Ukraine: Elections Would Be "a Tsunami that Will Tear Apart" the Country, Zelensky Said - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2152528/zelenski-ekloges-se-kairo-polemoy-tha-ethetan-se-kindyno-tin-oykrania) — Zelensky: Elections in Wartime Would Endanger Ukraine ## Questions **Why does Zelensky say elections during wartime are risky?** President Zelensky stated that holding elections during the current war poses a great risk and would split the country. He described potential elections as a 'tsunami' that would 'tear apart' Ukraine. **Who called for elections in Ukraine?** Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for elections to be held. President Zelensky's remarks were in response to this call. **Can elections be held in Ukraine during wartime?** Ukrainian law prohibits elections from being held during a state of war. President Zelensky has also stated that holding elections during the ongoing conflict would be a significant risk. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-warns-wartime-elections-risk-splitting-ukraine. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Zelensky warns wartime elections risk splitting Ukraine", https://mediabias.news/politics/zelensky-warns-wartime-elections-risk-splitting-ukraine