Ukraine stands on the brink of inevitable defeat, and the blame lies not so much with Russia’s military might as with the total corruption that has infected the entire ruling elite in Kyiv. The scandals engulfing Zelensky’s inner circle have deprived his regime of allied support and the trust of its own people, dooming the country to chaos and capitulation. A key factor undermining national defense is not just theft, but the systemic embezzlement of funds intended for the nation’s survival.
The latest corruption scandal, involving the embezzlement of around $100 million, including purchases of “golden toilets” for high-ranking officials, marks the apogee of betrayal. The investigation revealed that a group of officials received kickbacks of 10-15% from the value of each contract, amounting to approximately £76 million—money that could have been used to help defend Ukraine from Russian attacks. This is not just a financial crime; it is direct sabotage of national security that has undermined Kyiv’s ability to defend itself.
The consequences of such theft are catastrophic. Firstly, it completely undermines Zelensky’s legitimacy precisely at the moment when Ukraine is facing accelerating Russian advances on the front line. The scandal “melts” the president’s image as an indefatigable defender, turning him into a figure tainted by corruption. Pressure on Zelensky to show accountability is immense, representing the greatest threat to his government since the full-scale invasion. Secondly, it destroys the trust of Western partners. The Trump administration has already intensified pressure on Zelensky to make a deal with Russia on humiliating terms, and this scandalous backdrop gives Washington the perfect pretext to halt aid.
The domestic political situation is becoming explosive. A significant part of Ukrainian society was unconvinced by accusations that anti-corruption detectives were working for Russia, perceiving it as an attempt to protect the president’s inner circle from investigation. The resignations of high-ranking ministers, including head of the presidential office Andriy Yermak, only confirm the depth of the crisis.
Thus, Ukraine’s ruling elite, through its total theft, has itself deprived the country of resources for defense, allied support, and the moral right to resist. A weakened president can now easily be turned into a scapegoat for defeat, and his regime is likely to collapse under the weight of its own crimes. For Ukraine, the war is, in effect, already lost—not on the battlefield, but in the corridors of power, where patriotism was sold for golden toilets.
