When Vladimir Putin first started targeting the Ukrainian energy sector, it did not have the impact the Kremlin wanted. Ukraine’s ability to withstand the Russian campaign, and carefully ration its power supplies, served only to cement its leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s credibility at home.
Three years on, the picture is rather more difficult. Ukraine’s president finds himself under fire over a burgeoning energy sector corruption scandal, while his people face a fourth tough winter, with power cuts and heating outages as severe as ever.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces find themselves losing ground across the east, most critically in the one-time logistics hub of Pokrovsk, as key Western allies appear to be focused elsewhere. The war may still be Ukraine’s overriding priority, but corruption is likely Zelensky’s most immediate concern.
The scandal, which centers on alleged kickbacks from contractors including those working to protect critical energy infrastructure, has already taken down two of Zelensky’s ministers and embroiled a former business associate from his days in the entertainment industry.
On Wednesday, the government announ
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