Ukraina

Don’t let a scandal undermine the defence of Ukraine

Outrage is justified. Letting Vladimir Putin win would be disastrous

 Illustration: Getty Images

An intelligence officer likens it to an atomic bomb exploding in Volodymyr Zelensky’s face. A scandal involving kickbacks and money-laundering centred on Energoatom, a state-owned nuclear-power agency, is fast becoming the worst crisis Ukraine’s president has faced since Russia invaded his country almost four years ago. Two ministers have already been removed, one arrested; more high-level casualties seem certain. For Ukraine’s Western supporters, the news is infuriating. For ordinary Ukrainians—whether fighting on the front or living under daily Russian missile and drone attacks—it is far worse. While their country is engaged in an existential struggle, bigwigs are alleged to have misappropriated huge sums, perhaps $100m. If guilty, they have deprived their own troops of resources.