Ah, Ukraine. That plucky little nation that’s been sucking up American taxpayer dollars like a vacuum cleaner in a confetti factory. We’ve poured billions into their fight against the Russian bear, all in the name of democracy, freedom, and keeping the lights on in Kyiv. But lo and behold, as we hit the tail end of 2025, the whole place is lighting up like a Christmas tree—not with holiday cheer, but with the glaring spotlight of yet another corruption scandal. This one’s got everything: bags of cash, a gold-plated toilet, and enough shady dealings to make a Chicago ward boss blush. And right in the middle, or at least uncomfortably close, is President Volodymyr Zelensky, the former comedian who’s now starring in his own tragicomedy.
The Plot Thickens: A $100 Million Energy Heist
Picture this: Ukraine’s energy grid is under constant bombardment from Russian missiles, so the government decides to fortify it. Sounds noble, right? Billions in international aid flow in to protect power plants and keep the heat on during those brutal winters. But instead of building bunkers, some folks allegedly built personal empires. We’re talking about a scheme that skimmed off around $100 million from state-owned energy companies. Kickbacks, overpriced contracts, and outright theft—classic moves in the corruption playbook.
The scam involved funneling money meant for wartime defenses into private pockets. Investigators uncovered evidence of bribes paid in cash-stuffed bags, luxury purchases that would make a Kardashian envious, and yes, that infamous gold toilet. It’s the kind of excess that screams “wartime austerity for thee, but not for me.” This isn’t some low-level grift; it hit the highest echelons of the energy sector, forcing two ministers to resign in disgrace just days ago, on November 14, 2025. One handled energy policy, the other infrastructure—poetic, isn’t it? Their departures came amid a public outcry that’s shaking the foundations of Zelensky’s administration.
The Players: From Comedians to Crooks?
At the center of this mess is Timur Mindich, a name that’s now synonymous with “fall guy” in Kyiv circles. Mindich, a longtime Zelensky ally and former business partner from the president’s pre-political days in showbiz, stands accused of masterminding the whole operation. He’s alleged to have orchestrated the kickbacks, turning aid money into personal windfalls. But whispers from the shadows suggest he’s not the big bad wolf—jailed oligarch Igor Kolomoisky, who’s rotting in a cell for his own multibillion-dollar thefts, called Mindich a mere patsy lacking the charisma for mafia-level scheming. Kolomoisky, who once bankrolled Zelensky’s rise, knows a thing or two about graft; he’s accused of stealing $5.5 billion and funneling $41 million of it to Zelensky for PR back in the day.
“A golden toilet is in one of the bathrooms of the apartment of Zelensky’s business partner Timur Mindich, where, according to media reports, NABU wiretapped the president himself. This was reported by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who showed a photo, as he claims, from this apartment.… pic.twitter.com/LYtCFKlTcW
— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) July 30, 2025
Then there’s the inner circle: Serhiy Shefir, Zelensky’s chief aide and another holdover from the comedy troupe days, pops up in older probes involving offshore accounts and London real estate buys. These guys aren’t strangers to controversy. Back in 2012, well before Zelensky traded punchlines for politics, he and his buddies were already dabbling in a network of companies in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, and Belize—perfect spots for hiding cash from prying eyes. Tax evasion, money laundering through posh properties—it’s all there in the records. Fast forward to now, and similar patterns emerge: $50 million a month allegedly siphoned to UAE firms linked to ex-advisers like Andrey Gmyrin.
And let’s not forget the bit players. Drone deals gone wrong, where a Zelensky party member pocketed war funds through bribery. Or the 2021 Pandora Papers revelations that exposed Zelensky’s family still benefiting from offshore setups even after he handed over shares. It’s a revolving door of cronies turning public funds into private yachts.
How Close to the Clown Prince?
Zelensky himself? Not directly fingered in this latest $100 million debacle—at least not yet. But come on, this is his inner circle we’re talking about. Mindich was a close confidant, involved in everything from business ventures to political strategy. The scandal erupted on November 10, 2025, and by November 15, Zelensky was vowing a “radical overhaul” of the energy sector, firing officials left and right, and admitting that anti-corruption measures so far have been “insufficient.” He’ll continue the fight, he says, but the damage is done. His approval ratings, already battered by the grinding war, are taking another hit. Public rage in Kyiv is palpable; even allies like Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Italy’s Matteo Salvini are balking at more funding, calling the regime a “military mafia.”
From an America First viewpoint, this is infuriating. We’ve shelled out over $100 billion in aid since 2022, much of it vanishing into this black hole of corruption. Zelensky started strong in 2019, promising to drain the swamp and tackle oligarchs. He even set up special courts for high-level cases. But by July 2025, he tried to gut the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau—only to get slapped down. Now, with Russian forces advancing and winter looming, this scandal couldn’t come at a worse time. It’s a “remarkable reversal” for a guy who once positioned himself as Ukraine’s Mr. Clean.
The Bigger Picture: A Nation on the Brink
This isn’t isolated. Ukraine ranks as one of the most corrupt countries globally, with scandals piling up like unexploded ordnance. A disabled veteran’s fundraiser in July 2025 saw $5 million raised, but he got just 3%—the rest allegedly blown on casinos and prostitutes by those in charge. Military awards swapped for cheap fakes, embezzling millions more. And amid it all, Zelensky jets to Paris on November 17, 2025, signing deals for French arms while his government crumbles.
The irony? While Ukrainians freeze in blackouts, the elite install gold toilets. It’s enough to make you wonder if the real war isn’t against Russia, but against the thieves in suits back home. Zelensky’s seeking support from allies, but with revelations like these, that well might dry up. America First means putting our dollars where they count—not flushing them down a golden commode. If Ukraine wants to win hearts and wallets, it’s time to clean house for real. Otherwise, this comedy of errors turns into a full-blown tragedy.