Kostiantyn Korsun: Fedorov and the Mess

Somehow the NABU news about “new facts in the criminal proceedings regarding abuses at Derzhspetszviazok during the procurement of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2023” slipped by unnoticed. Well, the amount stolen increased by some +160 million hryvnias. Well, another suspicion was announced against another mini-minister. Most people didn’t even pay attention. But the secret is that this could be a hint from NABU — to one now very offended but very arrogant former defense minister.

So first I’ll remind you of the facts of that criminal proceeding from 2024.

The story began when then Vice Prime Minister Fedorov secured control of Derzhspetszviazok (CMU resolution No. 669 of 30.06.2023).

And he appointed to head that agency a scoundrel who had already been caught red-handed for corruption in 2015, although that episode was carefully covered up: https://cutt.ly/rysWkXmX

Then Fedorov obtained President Zelensky’s personal permission for his subordinate at Derzhspetszviazok (headed by a person loyal to him) to start procuring UAVs for the Armed Forces — contrary to the agency’s powers and contrary to the Ministry of Defense’s authority.

And on those drone procurements the stealing began immediately — which is why NABU launched an investigation that is still ongoing.

Let’s emphasize again: this story is literally the same thing Fedorov is now accusing the Ministry of Defense of, without naming names: corruption in military procurement. But NABU specifically named names — and for some reason they were all subordinates of the greatest “anti-corruption fighter” Fedorov.

So Mr. Fedorov a) forcibly changed the procurement process to his advantage, b) appointed his person to manage those procurements, yet c) “he knew nothing” (c) about the embezzlement — even though the thefts were carried out by a person appointed by Misha himself. In the procurement process he personally altered. In an agency he fully controlled.

It’s reminiscent of how an unknown “Vova” knew nothing about the villa for him at the “Dynasty.” Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck — but not a duck. “Vy ne panimayetye, eto drugoye.”

Funny? Funny. But you won’t prove anything to the cardboard organisms who, eyes wide, shout “Fe! Do! Roff!”

As they say: “For those who have faith — evidence is not needed.”

So it’s clear that over almost two years of investigating this case NABU gathered a lot of information about M. Fedorov’s role in this scheme. Because one of the main suspects in the case is then Head of Derzhspetszviazok Shchyhol — Fedorov’s personal appointee. Who knows a lot and could provide enough information to issue a full suspicion against monsieur Fedorov.

But of course we understand that NABU also plays political games, although it’s still unclear which ones exactly and what it seeks: some people are charged, fitted with bracelets, put in pretrial detention, while others, no less compromised — for some reason are not.

And now, on the eve of parliament resuming work and returning to the sensitive issue of appointing a new defense minister, NABU suddenly publishes updates on the 2024 case. Allegedly, the amount of damage has increased significantly, and a new suspect has appeared who — it turns out! — was managing all the other suspects. In other words, the investigation climbed another level. And this could very well be a certain signal to Mr. Fedorov: “Misha, we know everything about you.”

Few noticed, but Misha clearly heard it. But did he understand?

Because he will of course bring his androids with the paperwork out to the Verkhovna Rada on 18 August. Because he desperately needs to get himself back into a lucrative position, and to reinstall his oligarchs into the multi-billion arms flows.

One of the ideologues of the “Fedorov project,” MP Zhelezniak, hinted quite transparently the day before yesterday that “the protest may move to a new level” and that it may “grow into an uprising” — in other words effectively announcing an armed revolt if their political nominee is not appointed defense minister.

What NABU wanted to tell Fedorov and whether he understood the hint — we’ll find out next week. Because the protests will happen. And the cardboard will bear the name of the “idol of magical thinking.” And Zelensky, whom Fedorov “served loyally for seven years” (c), will ignore it all.

But whether Fedorov’s puppets will “go further” — that is the main intrigue.

And if they go — how far. And if they even get somewhere — what will they do next. And whether the corps and brigade commanders will support that “next.” And the unexpected “Charter” case shows that the loyalty of some “regiments” can be not only along official vertical lines.

And I’m also sure that the “fe-opposition” has no Plan B — because that has long been Fedorov’s working style: “let’s get stuck in this mess, and then — we’ll see. Screw your boring planning.”

So next week will be hot. Although hardly historic.

Kostiantyn Korsun, cybersecurity expert. In 2000–2005 deputy head of the Cybercrime Unit at the Counterintelligence Department of the SBU. Founder and first head of CERT-UA. Former director and co-founder of a Ukrainian cyber company

“Argument”

On this subject:

Korsun: Zelensky’s Sixth Manager — Prime Minister? Seriously?

Korsun: Another “victory” for Fedorov — Revolut leaves Ukraine

Korsun: The dirty secrets of the new defense minister Fedorov