Public sentiment is predominantly negative regarding President Zelenskyy due to a significant corruption scandal involving his administration. Many commenters express anger, disappointment, and a feeling of betrayal, emphasizing that the corruption undermines the war effort and raises concerns over accountability and the effectiveness of foreign aid.

President Zelenskyy

Ukrainian Government

Western Donors

Good, as it should. The more corruption cases come to the surface the better.

Jopelin_Wyde

Sucks it has happened, good on them for attempting to root it out. Wish all nations would take aggressive action to thwart the few at the expense of the many.

jhaden_

Ukraine's corruption has been one of the main barriers to joining the EU. They have made progress, but it's still widespread.

Cheeky_Star

It's funny to read comments from westerners who think that my country is fighting corruption)

Thank you for your support, but things are really bad here because Zelensky's business partner, who was involved in stealing, simply left the country after being warned about the investigation, and people here are very angry. and this is not the first time this has happened.

Embarrassed-Quiet651

Reddit started blocking opening links, what the fuck? Redirects back to reddit token bullshit.

lifesuxwhocares

lol if you didn’t know Ukraine was corrupt, you don’t know anything about Ukraine.

snowplow9

I like how corruption in Ukraine is more and more untangled. It seems that they really want to get rid of it and understand the threat it brings. 

Meanwhile many other western countries are corrupted but they are better at hiding it in plain sight. 

Daz_Didge

Everyone is corrupt.

Except the man at the top of course.

sovietarmyfan

It's good to remember that Ukraine's shift to more democratic less corrupt government is fairly recent history.  Change doesn't happen in the instant. This wasn't the first, and it won't be the last. 

It's also no reason to stop supplying Ukraine.

Rincetron1

[deleted]

And zelensky don't know anything about that ? Right.

ManufacturerFar6787

Before the Russian "special military operation", Ukraine was the 2nd most corrupt country in Europe, only behind Russia.

Rush_Banana

The only way for us to know they are fighting corruption is to make it public. Overall this is positive news and we should all treat it that way. 

I do have a question and it’s because of ignorance of government. The person has close ties with Zelensky, wouldn’t that be a bad sign?  Or does Zelensky have hundreds of folks that have “close ties to him”

folkyall

Take those making a big deal out of what this means for foreign aid with a HUGE grain of salt. It's one of those easy positions for pro-russians to take.

 * "Look how corrupt they are! 'We' shouldn't be sending them anything!" - What they say whenever the slightest hint of a problem arises, regardless of how big or small it is.

 * "They are in a war! Why are they wasting time with these do-nothing anti-corruption efforts! 'We' shouldn't be sending them anything if they are going to waste resources like this!" - What they say whenever steps to fight corruption are taken.

It's an easy position for shills and trolls to take.

Mazon_Del

Ukraine politics has been corrupted for decades and war only makes it worse. Why expose now? Guess the western leadership aims to make Ukraine looking bad to reduce the public resistance when they give it up.

skywalker326

100M? That's a boring tuesday of slovak politicians' corruption scandals.

d4r3ll

**Country fighting for its life.**

This asshole: “Yo I think I’ll do some massive corruption right about now!” 

You gotta be a real piece of work…

superhappy

I love how we look through Ukraine’s finances with a fine tooth comb. As it should be, BUT wouldn’t it be nice if we did that here back home?

Bossman673

Man, I get we’re supporting Ukraine, but every few months there’s another “missing millions” story. Somebody needs to start checking where the money’s actually going instead of just signing more checks.

Heavy_Mark9540

And this is why no matter how many billion dollar aus packages the West sends to Ukraine, they make precisely zero progress on the frontline. All the aid is being skimmed off by corrupt officials and the arms illicitly trafficked overseas to make a quick buck. The only way we can resolve this conflict is through peace negotiations not forever aid packages to nowhere

coldseam

And I would like to shyly remind that some time ago, attempts were made to reduce the independence of the services established to fight corruption.

Eland51298

Aromatic_Cattle_8564

What frustrates me about headlines like this is that Republicans will see the headline and make the claim that we shouldn’t be helping Ukraine because there corrupt while simultaneously mouthing support for the current administration despite the overt corruption happening right before our very eyes.

davidgoldstein2023

Corruption in a time of war when your country is desperately trying to survive.It takes a special Trump level of betrayal.

AudenAlden777

Western-Corner-431

And mean while in the U S we have a rapist and chief doing billion dollar grifting.

Orposer

is it politically correct to say that EU and US should not send any liquid money but only arms?

ReacherNMN

Ukraine has an opportunity to remake its image into a country with little or no corruption.

It already has won the admiration of the free world for its relentless perseverance against the Russian war criminal…and it’s won the respect of tech companies for its brilliant use of drone warfare.

Stay strong, Ukraine.

Слава Україні!

NotOK1955

Like the world didn't know zelinsky liked dressing up and dancing for Biden.  Lmmfao

Ok_Attitude1237

No Russian corruption uncovered yet because of hotel balconies and faulty windows.

notanyimbecile

Now do the US… yeah, that’s what I thought.

punktualPorcupine

Rookie numbers Baron makes this one a Tuesday Bitcoin rally

darthchef3193

Well it is win for the russians and maga.

ProfitNearby7467

Hehe, wanna see how Trump's ally is uncovered. Epstein? No?... Who is the justice leader now? 😅

SpiderDK1

People forget that a lot of this corruption still comes from the USSR roots where only way to survive was to lie, cheat, and steal. It takes time to weed it out, but it is what it is.

AlexRescueDotCom

perhaps they reasoned like this: "the country will fall in next 6 months why not take the money and run, who will be left to investigate?"

single_use_12345

Thankfully Ukraine still has a good democracy, and they're allowed the freedom of speech to investigate and report stuff like this.

Meanwhile in ruZZia....

canspop

It sucks much it happened over all. But the fact that there are organisations in Ukraine that can prosecute it gives hope and discovered corruption is better, than undiscovered. So I hope there would be less of such. For me, as for Ukrainian, it kills my trust for Zelensky. Maybe he even should resign? But that’s debatable

Buy_Constant

MAGA are furious but totally ignore bilions dollars going to Trump. 

Future-Employee-5695

Due_Music_8766

Ukraine isn’t perfect but the difference is that they are trying to be better … unlike Russia.

Mkwdr

That’s an unfortunate message especially, considering Zelenskyy is the one person in the world actually fighting the right fight.  They need to keep his ministers/allies in check but let’s not just slide the scandal over Zelenskyy to keep the Russians and Donald happy.

Ok_Photo_865

Corruption is in every Country…I hope this cases get solved by justice

Valentiaga_97

Show the examples in public, and keep. On fighting corruption, it happens everywhere

Even in corona time in the Netherlands....

slaan1974

This isn't "merely" corruption.  During an existential war, this is treason.

WiseAct446

Im from a soviet country m, and let me tell you that this is coded in our 🧬 by the Russians. We have been manipulated and forced to lie, be corrupt, get job done if someoane paid you on the side to do something. 

Under Russians we did t have shit, we barely had food on our tables, so yeah when we had the opportunity to be corrupted we didn’t think twice. 

So yeah Ukraine has same issue. 
What Ukraine has to do if this is true as they say, to punish publicly so the others will think twice. The country is at war they can’t let the corruption  start a civil war.

Few-Welcome7588

Maybe Ukraine, because of the daily sacrifices of its people lives, should consider the death penalty or life sentence to corruption acts of top politicians or people with high public position. Consider all the life's that the Ukrainian people have sacrifice and then these crooks are benefiting from their blood. That is despicable.

dlo009

$100 million?  That's amateur numbers.  Trump over here is up to 2 or 3 billion.

Coffee_Grazer

In the middle of a fight for their life, money gets thrown away because they are desperate. All they can do is prosecute and try to do better. Russian corruption is a million times worse.

Sniflix

It's worth noting here that it proves corruption is being looked for and tackled head on.

  
The independence of the anti-corruption bodies have already been dealt with, very publicly. Surely the 'scandal' is proof that the system is working independently?

tfm992

If it is proven that he is corrupt, then immediately 15+ years behind bars

East-Relationship989

Expose it. Get justice. And keep going. That is the only option. 


Can't pretend there is no corruption. That helps it thrive. 

Fresh-Army-6737

There is no such thing as zero corruption. It's how the country acknowledge it and deal with it that matters.

Ambitious_Gold3579

What you have to remember is that even though russia is rotten AF Ukraine has alot of the same mentality and problems in the elite.

PerformanceHorror894

The botniks are out in full force on this one. They must be getting paid extra rubles to push the narrative.

NoJello8422


Привіт u/M795 ! During wartime, this community is focused on vital and high-effort content. Please ensure your post follows [r/Ukraine Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/about/rules).

**Want to support Ukraine?**  [**Vetted Charities List**](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities) | [Our Vetting Process](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities-vetting)

**Daily series on Ukraine's history &amp; culture:**  [Sunrise Posts Organized By Category](https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/sunriseposts/)

**To learn about how you can support Ukraine politically, visit r/ActionForUkraine**

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ukraine) if you have any questions or concerns.*

AutoModerator

Stay clear of Scums u may be tarnished by their “sins”

furyandtempest

Dead link for me, here's the live one: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/ukraine/ukraine-energy-corruption-scandal-justice-minister-suspended-zelenskyy-rcna243401

Anen-o-me

Some level of corruption in government is inevitable. This example of corruption in Ukraine is insignificant  compared to countless examples from most Western democratic nations.  Beyond that Ukraine actively investigates and punishes corrupt officials.

**“When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not Guilty'.”** Theodore Roosevelt POTUS

DyadVe

Looks like Russia is out in spades today 🤷‍♂️

This is Zelenskyy's moment to make another difficult decision.

![gif](giphy|gT3VZyL9NZMEbL7aRw|downsized)

Individual-Cream-581

So the agency that Zelensky wanted to shut down is now uncovering corruption in Zelensky's close circle of associates. Interesting...

veleso91

It's sad how always in critical situations, politicians make time to steal while people are dying. In Spain they are slowly uncovering a case of politicians stealing funds when they were tasked with buying masks por the COVID pandemic. Shameful stuff. This is literally worse because ukrainian soldiers are dying to protect the country these liars control.

mods4mods

It's sad. Didn't Zelensky win the election for president on a message of anti corruption? We are struggling so much in eastern Europe with corruption. Must be ways to combat it.

External_Reaction314

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under fierce pressure to fire his powerful top aide Andriy Yermak amid a corruption scandal that risks spiraling into the country’s biggest domestic political crisis since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Yermak runs the presidential office and is a sharp-elbowed political operator who has been crucial in steering Zelenskyy’s rule since he took power in 2019. Some see him as almost a co-president.

The immediate flashpoint rocking Ukrainian politics — and fueling the attack against Yermak — is a corruption scandal in the country’s shattered energy sector.

“The reason is the tapes from NABU. Everyone understands the tapes are leading to him [Yermak], and that he was behind the July crisis [regarding NABU’s independence]. If this becomes publicly known, it will undermine all [members of the] Servants [party]”

Any-Original-6113

I know it would sound like a conspiracy theory, but I think someone is pushing Zelenskyy to sign that peace agreement on unfavourable terms.

How much more to uncover when “Zelenskyy is a hero” is not needed?

Ok-Somewhere9814

There is always embezzlement and profiteering during a war, it's expected, nothing to worry so much.

zanzara1968

The russian redditors are in full mood today lol

And down voting en masse the comment, according to reddit's stats lol

GreenEyeOfADemon

Briefly (from article):



The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) said Monday it had uncovered a graft scheme in the energy sector involving $100 million of laundered funds.

Ukrainian investigators on Tuesday accused Timur Mindich, a close ally and longtime business associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky faced a massive backlash from Ukrainians and Brussels over the summer when he tried to bring the two independent anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAPO, under government control.

Not gonna lie, that doesn’t look good on anyone

Docccc

Corruption during the war should be a death penalty.

Usual_Obligation7719

Everyone knows that Ukraine is near the top of every corruption index. The noteworthy thing isn’t the corruption, it’s the fact that in the middle of the largest war in Europe since ww2, an independent agency has enough power and popular support to fight the government and do its job properly.

(Edit: near the top *within Europe*)

CheapAttempt2431

Remember Yanukovich's golden toilet? That was just speculation. [Mindich's golden toilet is very real though.](https://strana.today/img/forall/u/11/80/photo_2025-07-30_18-35-05.jpg)

RobotWantsKitty

&gt;Zelenskyy lauded the anti-corruption efforts saying that “all and any steps against corruption are very necessary.”

&gt;In his [**daily address**](https://www.president.gov.ua/news/mi-gotuyemo-ugodi-z-kilkoma-yevropejskimi-krayinami-v-tomu-c-101273) on November 10, Zelenskyy said Energoatom, the largest energy provider in Ukraine, is of such importance that it is “necessary to have the company clean.” "Sentences must be handed down" he added.

  
[https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-corruption-investigation-energy-sector/33586081.html](https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-corruption-investigation-energy-sector/33586081.html)

This is why he tried to shut down the anti corruption commission.,, because he and his mates are corrupt and looting the country while it’s at war

ThimMerrilyn

Nothing new under the sky,not the first time,they tried to get rid of Nabo bcs they got too close

Hezzyo

Dear westerners. Don't send us money. Will be stolen. Send us shit ton of weapons instead, for a plumbum injections into our enemies - Z and Ze

sex_and_sushi

This feels like a pivotal moment. I think Zelensky has two choices if we wants to maintain the worlds good will: get on board with fighting corruption and show some results or call for presidential election and resign.

Less_Dimension_1019

For all the European nationals reading this, I urge you to think of the fact that you in actuality do enable this.

How come it is valid to buy stuff in Switzerland with stolen money? This is exactly what these pieces of shit did.

How come everyone corrupt is allowed in EU and as soon as you cross the Hungarian border all law you broke magically doesn’t matter? (And btw yes, this does include draft dodging as well as corruption . Arbitrary line crossing should not provide safe haven from charges)

How come France [refuses](https://chamber.ua/news/france-has-refused-to-extradite-kostyantin-zhevago-reports-law-firm-vb-partners/) to extradite Zhevago who is as corrupt as they come? Do you want his illegal money, I assume? Don’t give me that “war means he will be mistreated” bullshit, what are our options here, not to have war before we can put him in jail?

And we see all of that, and then we see the preaching on oh how corrupt y’all are. Do you think this makes us feel inspired to root these pieces of shit out? It does feel like we stand alone at times, with everyone else just providing platitudes most of the time.

And do you think this is limited to UA corruption btw? Don’t you understand that your domestic grafters use the same infrastructure ours do? So even if you’re selfish, this should concern you.

brainerazer

I was in Zurich in an underground parking garage.. you would not believe the amount of UA Porsches, Maseratis, AMG's etc that I've seen.

Radiant-Emergency926

Yeah, we’re really disappointed over here. Feels like it’s a cursed circle. Dealing with corruption is like fighting a hydra. And people mindset isn’t perfect as well. The society tends to blame the system, blame the government, but rarely blame themselves. For allowing, for cooperating, for accepting it. For keeping silent.

citramonk

Nah, c'mon you guys are going to fast track them to EU, don't say bad stuff.

gokkai

Shocking, who would have expected this.. /s

Accomplished_Law5150

$100m, maybe half from Canada, from tax payers, too bad

Hot-Cat1133

Much like in Russia, the elite of Israeli passport-holding oligarchs are exceptionally corrupt and enrichen themselves at the expense of ordinary citizens. No surprises here! I hope Mindich is arrested before fleeing to Israel, because there he certainly won’t be given up.

piecesofamann

At this point, I just hope that this story will be the end of Zelensky's political career. 

Somehow, we have to keep going and survive this war. But afterwards, this man has to go.

IvD707

GingerMessi

Only_Banana_1048

Hot_Preparation4777

What a surprise... Mr Z is as corrupt as they come

throw_my_username

I guess one of the few things Trump was right about. Cant just keep signing blank cheques for Ukraine.

i_getitin

Shocker. Corruption has been a long standing issue in Ukraine.

Difficult-Fact1769

I'm pretty sure I war time that is a hanging offence.

Lennyleonard_

A corrupt Ukrainian?? Say it isn’t so /s

AdStrange9701

Be careful of the russian bots in this thread. They will try to make pro-russia propaganda, or anti-ukraine, in a way that benefits russia and right wing governments.

kustru

Complex-Particular45

The army’s patience won’t last forever, and honestly, it’s starting to look like the patriotic military might end up running the country... 
PS. I see the downvotes. I’m Ukrainian, and plenty of people around me feel the same and think so too. For many, Zelensky’s reputation is gone because of bad governance, shady appointments, a system stuck in place during the war, corruption in defense procurement, no real court reform, and even a push against NABU that people stopped with protests. And yes, Zelensky will not be remembered in Ukraine the way Churchill is, whatever some in the West believe. And if Ukraine does manage to keep its independence, it will be in spite of Zelensky, not because of him!!!!

Time_Yak2422

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy faces scrutiny due to a $100 million corruption scandal, coinciding with ongoing military challenges.

Zelenskyy Under Pressure Amid Ukraine Corruption Scandal

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want