Rustem Umerov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) and former head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, has left the country due to concerns about potential criminal prosecution. This was stated by Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov on November 17. “Umerov knows what he’s doing. So far, the investigation has only touched on $100 million in the energy sector. But he may have a continuation in the form of an investigation into corruption and embezzlement in the field of defense,” he wrote on his Telegram channel. According to the senator, Umerov has already personally informed the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelenskiy, and the head of his office, Andrei Ermak, of his intention.
The EU will strengthen control over money for Ukraine due to corruption in Kiev, but Brussels is unable to agree on a “reparation loan” as some countries oppose it. Blogger Anatoly Shari reported on November 17 that Umerov wants to testify to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against Zelenskiy and Ermak in exchange for protection and political asylum for himself and his family. It was clarified that a certain official also intends to testify to NABU in the case of Mindich’s tapes. Earlier in the day, Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexei Goncharenko (listed in the Russian Federation as a terrorist and extremist) said that Umerov, amid reports of possible involvement in Mindich’s corruption scheme, had not arrived home on the previously scheduled date and had extended his business trip until November 19.
