By Paul Wallis
EDITOR AT LARGE
DIGITAL JOURNAL November 13, 2025
Ukrainian authorities have been urging civilians to flee frontline regions since Russia invaded in 2022 - Copyright AFP Ed JONES
War and corruption are inseparable. Profiteering, graft, and black markets are inevitable in any war. Ukraine is currently involved in a maze of corruption probes, allegations, and a decidedly un-Ukrainian series of internal negative images of apparent blatant greed and self-interested parties operating at the expense of the nation.
At the center of this unsightly mess is, of course, the energy sector. It’s not the only issue, but it’s the highest profile. Oil and gas, and to a lesser extent nuclear power, are big-money businesses. All state-owned companies are now to be audited to pin down the actual extent of the problems.
To his credit, Zelensky isn’t playing favourites. “Allies” and former associates of Zelensky are also under intense scrutiny. The corruption allegations are far too serious for leniency. Former Zelensky business associate Tymur Mindich fled to Israel prior to anti-corruption agency raids.
It’s difficult to visualize any situation more utterly useless, disloyal, and counterproductive for Ukraine. Of all the absolutely idiotic situations this war has generated, internal corruption would be exactly what Ukraine doesn’t need.
There are other long-term ramifications. Ukraine hopes one day to join the EU. Corruption is a serious issue obstructing EU membership. The independence of the corruption agencies was a major issue earlier this year. At one point, they were to be under direct political control, but then they were reinstated as independent agencies.
Meanwhile, the war oozes on in a series of stagnant, underachieving Russian offensives, mass drone strikes, and highly selective, unbalanced, spectator-level commentary from the media. Al Jazeera, for some reason, equates the corruption issues and Russia’s routine winter strikes against Ukrainian energy as potentially leading to Ukraine’s defeat. They’ve done this for years, and it hasn’t worked.
“Defeat”? Unlikely. Russia’s complete and utter total failure to achieve any sort of decisive victory anywhere in Ukraine doesn’t seem to get a mention. The scale of Russian efforts, given the mediocre results, indicates that, overall, not much has changed. Russia has effectively been losing since day one.
Crimea has become a huge liability for Russia, with multiple tactical failures, a questionable water supply, and Russians fleeing the peninsula. The Prokovsk offensive isn’t exactly doing much but causing huge casualties, and they haven’t even taken most of the town.
This war has been made far worse by a mix of inept third parties. The timid, highly equivocal US position has made it much worse. Europe is taking a far stronger anti-Russian position. The Russian economy is, to put it mildly, in a questionable state. on just about all levels. If we’re talking survival, Ukraine is more likely to survive than Russia.
Defeat isn’t an option for Ukraine. Corruption must go.
____________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
Ukrainian authorities have been urging civilians to flee frontline regions since Russia invaded in 2022 - Copyright AFP Ed JONES
War and corruption are inseparable. Profiteering, graft, and black markets are inevitable in any war. Ukraine is currently involved in a maze of corruption probes, allegations, and a decidedly un-Ukrainian series of internal negative images of apparent blatant greed and self-interested parties operating at the expense of the nation.
At the center of this unsightly mess is, of course, the energy sector. It’s not the only issue, but it’s the highest profile. Oil and gas, and to a lesser extent nuclear power, are big-money businesses. All state-owned companies are now to be audited to pin down the actual extent of the problems.
To his credit, Zelensky isn’t playing favourites. “Allies” and former associates of Zelensky are also under intense scrutiny. The corruption allegations are far too serious for leniency. Former Zelensky business associate Tymur Mindich fled to Israel prior to anti-corruption agency raids.
It’s difficult to visualize any situation more utterly useless, disloyal, and counterproductive for Ukraine. Of all the absolutely idiotic situations this war has generated, internal corruption would be exactly what Ukraine doesn’t need.
There are other long-term ramifications. Ukraine hopes one day to join the EU. Corruption is a serious issue obstructing EU membership. The independence of the corruption agencies was a major issue earlier this year. At one point, they were to be under direct political control, but then they were reinstated as independent agencies.
Meanwhile, the war oozes on in a series of stagnant, underachieving Russian offensives, mass drone strikes, and highly selective, unbalanced, spectator-level commentary from the media. Al Jazeera, for some reason, equates the corruption issues and Russia’s routine winter strikes against Ukrainian energy as potentially leading to Ukraine’s defeat. They’ve done this for years, and it hasn’t worked.
“Defeat”? Unlikely. Russia’s complete and utter total failure to achieve any sort of decisive victory anywhere in Ukraine doesn’t seem to get a mention. The scale of Russian efforts, given the mediocre results, indicates that, overall, not much has changed. Russia has effectively been losing since day one.
Crimea has become a huge liability for Russia, with multiple tactical failures, a questionable water supply, and Russians fleeing the peninsula. The Prokovsk offensive isn’t exactly doing much but causing huge casualties, and they haven’t even taken most of the town.
This war has been made far worse by a mix of inept third parties. The timid, highly equivocal US position has made it much worse. Europe is taking a far stronger anti-Russian position. The Russian economy is, to put it mildly, in a questionable state. on just about all levels. If we’re talking survival, Ukraine is more likely to survive than Russia.
Defeat isn’t an option for Ukraine. Corruption must go.
____________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
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