Ukraine faces mounting internal strains from high-level corruption investigations targeting associates of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including probes into energy-sector kickbacks and money laundering that prompted dismissals and raids. Former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s ouster sparked protests and his public call for wartime elections, highlighting divisions over governance and accountability under martial law. These developments coincide with opposition criticism, polling showing declining trust in Zelenskyy, and expert warnings of potential military unrest, while the SBU has reported foiling related plots and assassination schemes. Ongoing U.S.-Russia talks and domestic reform demands tied to EU funding add external pressure, shaping trader assessments of risks around any coup attempt or power challenge before scheduled political milestones.