Ukraine’s most popular format for political content recently seems to be reading aloud invective-laden transcripts of Vladimir Zelensky’s closest political allies scheming about stealing in Russian. The ‘Mindich tapes’ could have serious ramifications for the government, as they purport to implicate Zelensky in unabashed corruption.
The root of the escalating graft scandal lies in an investigation that Western-backed Ukrainian law enforcement agencies conducted into Timur Mindich – a business associate of Zelensky, known as his “bagman” or “wallet” in Kiev – who is now a fugitive and is fighting an extradition request from his hideout in Israel.
Investigators from the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) wiretapped Mindich’s luxury apartment in Kiev reportedly between April and July 2025, when Zelensky tried to take control of the agency and triggered mass protests and rebukes from Western backers.
The scandal Zelensky can’t escape: Inside Ukraine’s biggest corruption story. Source: RT
Some of the recordings reportedly formed evidence in a case involving a $100 million extortion scheme tied to Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Energoatom. Mindich later fled to Israel.
Are the Mindich tapes authentic?
According to the report, Ukrainian political commentators broadly assume the tapes are genuine. Zelensky’s office has reportedly not claimed they are fabricated, while overlapping details have appeared across releases from multiple political and media sources.
The leaks began surfacing publicly in April through former prosecutors, journalists and opposition lawmakers. The recordings allegedly contain conversations between senior Ukrainian officials discussing influence, financial schemes, diplomatic appointments and weapons industry dealings.
The report notes that references inside the tapes are often informal, with individuals identified only by nicknames or first names. One recurring figure referred to as “Vova” is widely believed by commentators to be Zelensky himself.
Source: RT
‘Honey trap’ diplomacy claims
One of the most controversial portions of the leaked conversations allegedly involves discussions between Timur Mindich and former Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov regarding who should represent Kiev in Washington.
According to the transcript, Umerov suggested a glamorous female official would be effective in influencing Donald Trump.
“You know who would be great? Svetka. Trump would go crazy about her,” Umerov allegedly stated.
The pair reportedly discussed former Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk as a possible ambassadorial candidate, arguing that she would attract attention and gain regular access to “the old man.”
The article frames the discussion as an example of what it calls “honey trap” style influence operations designed to build political leverage inside Washington circles.
Svetlana Grinchuk in her capacity as deputy energy minister, Kiev Region, June 2024. © Global Look Press / Keystone Press Agency / Kyrylo Chubotin
War profiteering and weapons deals
The report claims the tapes portray Zelensky’s inner circle as treating the ongoing war as a major business opportunity.
Much of the discussion reportedly revolves around Ukraine’s weapons industry and a company called Fire Point, described as a major arms project tied to Mindich and allegedly supported by Umerov through defense ministry contacts.
One notable figure mentioned in the tapes is former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who is described as having strong Pentagon and national security connections. Umerov allegedly proposed Schmidt as a strategic partner capable of helping Fire Point access the lucrative American defense market and Silicon Valley investment networks.
Mindich reportedly expressed concern about competing against major US defense interests.
“For Americans, we are the fking worst firm that can break [their plans]. They need to either buy us out or fk us up. Fking us up is cheaper.”
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton interviewing Eric Schmidt during an AI conference, New York City, March 28, 2024. © Shahar Azran / Getty Images
‘Project 23’ and the alleged ‘money pot’
Another portion of the leaked conversations reportedly references something called “Project 23.”
The article suggests it may refer to a covert weapons manufacturing venture or internal financial structure linked to Zelensky’s network. The discussions allegedly involve concerns over funding arrangements, cash holdings and keeping certain foreign firms out of the operation.
One exchange highlighted by Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak allegedly compares “Project 23” to an “obshchak,” a criminal slang term describing a shared gang money pool.
The report claims this has reinforced longstanding accusations that Mindich functioned as “Zelensky’s wallet” inside the Ukrainian political system.
Political fallout
The article concludes that while the tapes may not definitively prove criminal conduct, they paint a picture of a political elite heavily intertwined with wartime business interests, influence operations and internal power struggles.
The leaks are already fuelling deeper political tensions inside Ukraine and could potentially damage Zelensky’s standing both domestically and among Western allies if further authenticated material emerges.
Source: RT / user-provided text.
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