Russian Intelligence Agency Claims EU-Funded Corruption Scheme Involving Zelensky's Circle

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has alleged that a corruption scheme benefiting the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is being funded by European Union taxpayers, according to TASS.

The intelligence service claimed that Zelensky and his associates are refusing to end the conflict with Russia because they continue to benefit financially, describing them as "driven mad by the prospect of easy pickings," TASS reported, quoting the SVR's statement directly.

An unverified allegation amid the war

The SVR did not, according to TASS's account, provide independently verifiable evidence supporting the claim, such as names, financial records or specific transactions. Ukrainian officials have consistently denied Russian accusations of this kind, and Western governments and media have frequently characterized such statements from Russian intelligence agencies as part of broader information operations connected to the war.

TASS's report did not include a response from Zelensky's office, the Ukrainian government or European Union officials to the SVR's statement.

Corruption concerns involving the use of foreign aid in Ukraine have been examined separately by Ukrainian anti-corruption institutions and international auditors, though the scope and findings of those efforts differ from the specific allegations raised by the SVR in this statement.