Decision Time for Zelenskyy as Corruption Scandal Intensifies

2025-11-19 | Silicon Wafers 060 | DAILY UPDATES | Yesterday we dipped our toes into the political storm engulfing Zelenskyy’s administration. Today we dive into the eye of the storm. For the first time since the full-scale invasion began, it’s not only Putin’s missiles or Trump’s tantrums that threaten peace in Ukraine, but also what’s happening inside Zelensky’s inner circle. And this threatens to divide Ukraine and create internal animosity in a way that neither Russia nor the US could hope to achieve. The scandal is now inching closer to a man often described as Ukraine’s “other wartime leader”, Andriy Yermak. Rumours of his fall may be premature, but even the fact that there are rumours, and even open calls for him to go, tells you about the intensity of the crisis. “Zelensky’s Top Aide Could Be Sacked Thursday”On Nov. 18, the Kyiv Post reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky “might fire Andriy Yermak, his close confidant and the head of the Presidential Office, as early as Thursday, according to lawmakers.” (Kyiv Post)The story is based on Ukrainska Pravda’s sources inside Zelensky’s own Servant of the People party, who say the president has been canvassing options amid a political crisis triggered by a gigantic corruption scandal in the energy sector. (Kyiv Post)One unnamed lawmaker told Ukrainska Pravda that almost everyone in the faction is pushing the same solution: fire Yermak — or risk the ruling party collapsing under the weight of scandal and public anger. (Kyiv Post)----------SOURCES: Kyiv Post – “Zelensky’s Top Aide Yermak Could Be Sacked Thursday, Lawmaker Claims” (Nov. 18, 2025)Kyiv Independent – “Parliament fires justice, energy ministers implicated in Ukraine's biggest corruption scandal” (Nov. 19, 2025)Kyiv Independent – “Who is Andriy Yermak and can Ukraine’s corruption scandal finally sink him?” (Nov. 19, 2025) Reuters – “Ukraine moves to quell $100 million energy corruption scandal” (Nov. 12, 2025)Washington Post – Andi Hoxhaj, “This threat from within Ukraine is as dangerous as Russian missiles” (Nov. 19, 2025) AP / international coverage on Tymur Mindich and Energoatom bribery scheme OSW – “Operation Midas: the largest corruption scandal within Zelensky’s inner circle” (Nov. 13, 2025)Carnegie Endowment – “The Corruption Scandal Engulfing Ukraine Won’t Die Down Anytime Soon” (Nov. 18, 2025) RFI – “€90m corruption scandal exposes ‘absolute impunity’ in Ukraine’s energy sector”bne IntelliNews – “Ukraine’s Energoatom scandal escalates as Zelenskiy dithers on implementing a strong response”Asia Times – “Ukraine energy scandal imperils Zelensky’s rule and war”Meduza – “They see journalists as pets: How the Ukrainian authorities are treating the media” (background on Yermak and Bankova’s power) Razumkov Centre polls on trust in Zelensky, government and officials Daria Kaleniuk, Vitaliy Shabunin, and other X / social media commentary on Yermak and Operation Midas (X (formerly Twitter))----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------