Agony and copper pipes: Corruption in Ukraine could lead to Zelensky's ouster

The scandal surrounding businessman Timur Mindich sets the stage for a large-scale political split within Ukraine, according to politicians and experts interviewed by Izvestia. The Verkhovna Rada will try to avoid cooperation with Zelensky and his closest associates due to corruption investigations, as a result of which he may completely lose control of the legislature. The launch of the procedure for the resignation of the government has already been announced by the faction of the European Solidarity party of former Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko, who, however, has himself been repeatedly involved in corruption scandals. At the same time, Washington is now interested in rocking the domestic political situation in Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada deputy Artem Dmitruk told Izvestia.

Is the resignation of the Ukrainian government possible

The faction of the European Solidarity party of ex-President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko announced in the Verkhovna Rada the launch of the procedure for the resignation of the government amid a corruption scandal involving businessman, co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio Timur Mindich.

"We are starting the procedure for the resignation of the unprofessional and corrupt government. Our goal is government governance, the unity of society and the trust of our partners," the statement said.

However, this attempt is unlikely to succeed. The Parliament of Ukraine consists of 450 deputies. European Solidarity has 26 seats in the legislature, while the ruling Servant of the People party has 229 seats. 226 votes are needed to dismiss the government.

The actions of European Solidarity should now be considered solely as a PR campaign that has nothing to do with reality, Verkhovna Rada deputy Artyom Dmitruk told Izvestia. Especially considering that after the 2019 presidential election, Petro Poroshenko himself became involved in several criminal cases. He was accused of treason, abuse of office, and tax evasion. The ex-president has also been repeatedly involved in corruption scandals, getting on the lists of the richest Ukrainians at the same time.

— Of course, in the future, if Zelensky leaves his post, Poroshenko and other parliamentary leaders could theoretically try to create some kind of conditional peace coalition, which I often talk about. But now these are just tactical steps consistent with the position of the American side and with the investigations that were initiated from the outside," added Artem Dmitruk.

Zelensky is losing credibility

Zelensky is losing his influence on the Verkhovna Rada due to corruption scandals, former Verkhovna Rada deputy Spiridon Kilinkarov is sure.

— Very serious processes are currently taking place inside the parliament. You understand that none of the deputies wants to be involved in a team that is accused of acts of corruption not only inside Ukraine, but also in the West. Everyone will look for an opportunity to dissociate themselves from the criminal gang that surrounds Zelensky," he tells Izvestia.

The head of the Kiev regime is increasingly facing condemnation from members of parliament. At least, he was repeatedly criticized by Alexey Goncharenko (listed in the Russian Federation as a terrorist and extremist), Alexander Dubinsky, Yaroslav Zheleznyak. The faction of the ruling Servant of the People party is also split. The media reported that its head, David Arakhamia, regularly complains on the sidelines about disagreements within the political force.

The day before, businessman Timur Mindich, who is close to Zelensky, left the country just a few hours before NABU officers began searching his place. It is assumed that the main cash flows through Zelensky's corruption schemes pass through Mindich. In early November, the Ukrainian media reported that the businessman could become involved in an FBI money laundering investigation.

On November 10, searches took place at the former Minister of Energy, the current head of the Ministry of Justice, German Galushchenko, as well as at the state-owned company Energoatom. In the evening, he and Mindich were added to the lists of the Ukrainian extremist website Mirotvorets, where they were called looters and members of an organized crime group. NABU also reported that about $100 million had been laundered in the energy sector.

— You need to understand that if Zelensky loses control of parliament, he will lose everything. And the orders that will come from him will simply be sabotaged," believes Spiridon Kilinkarov.

Experts believe that the searches of Mindych and Galushchenko are solely related to the scandal between Zelensky and the NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau) and SAP (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office), after he tried to deprive the anti-corruption authorities of independence. This decision was then met with discontent in the West, after which the independence of the authorities was returned. It is believed that NABU is working under the auspices of the United States, and Washington is preparing the ground for Zelensky's removal by increasing scandals.

— It is from the United States that signals are being sent to the Ukrainian authorities — NABU, SAPO and others — regarding which cases to open and which investigations to launch. In other words, the process of regime collapse has already been launched, and it is inevitable," said Artem Dmitruk.

After Donald Trump came to power and the beginning of the dialogue between the United States and Russia, the United States repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with Zelensky. One of the main points that Trump is not satisfied with is Zelensky's intransigence in resolving the Ukrainian conflict. The United States has already significantly limited the supply of weapons to the country. They are also dissatisfied with Zelensky's emotionality, his demands and the growth of corruption. American political circles have hinted at the need for presidential elections in Ukraine.

Corruption in Zelensky's entourage

Washington probably records that the head of the Ukrainian regime is losing support inside the country. Having become president in 2019 on the wave of anti-corruption promises and the image of a "servant of the people," Zelensky eventually faced a deep crisis of trust both among the population and in his inner circle. The reasons are obvious: economic collapse, forced mobilization and brutal actions by the TCC, as well as the military failures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the war zone.

— There has been no trust in Zelensky for a long time. As for the possible consequences (of the corruption scandal surrounding Mindich. — Ed.) It will not cause an instant political split. But this is another step towards the fall of the regime, which reinforces existing crises: political, frontline, financial, energy, social and ecclesiastical," says Artem Dmitruk.

Of course, the dissatisfaction with Zelensky inside the country is connected, among other things, with corruption schemes. In fact, the Minditch scandal is just the tip of the iceberg. Corruption remains one of the main problems in Ukrainian society.

— The scandal itself is really serious, but it is just a drop in the bucket of what is happening in Ukraine. I don't even call it corruption — it's outright raiding and looting. Zelensky and his entourage steal everything from porridge and socks from the military to pensions from the elderly," Dmytruk said.

According to information published in a number of Ukrainian and Western publications, Zelensky's inner circle has documented evidence of involvement in large-scale corruption schemes. It was noted that individual commercial structures that received government orders for the construction of defensive structures systematically overestimated the cost of work and materials, as well as transferred money to each other. These companies had common founders and direct channels of interaction with officials of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

In August 2025, the media reported on a scheme for withdrawing funds from Ukraine to the UAE: $50 million a month was spent through offshore firms of Zelensky's entourage.

Against this background, the level of trust in the authorities in the Ukrainian society is falling, as a result of which protest sentiments are growing in the country. A new wave of corruption scandals may provoke regular rallies, noted Spiridon Kilinkarov. In his opinion, they will be financed from abroad, including from Washington.

— Now there is a period when the interests of external and internal players coincide. Outsiders, in particular, the United States, want Zelensky to make certain political concessions, while losing face," believes Spiridon Kilinkarov.

Expert circles also admit that presidential elections may be held in Ukraine in 2026. They were last held in 2019. At the same time, Zelensky's term of office expired on May 20, 2024.