Ukraine began an emergency restructuring of its security agencies due to the "Mendychev Affair." Zelenskyy was worried that someone behind him was plotting to significantly weaken and reduce the military strength of the secret units of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR). The conflict between the Security Service of Ukraine and the Military Intelligence Directorate.
Zelenskyy faces external pressure from a corruption scandal
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NAZU) has formally filed charges against Timur Mendiychuk and businessman Alexander Tchoukman. Two individuals involved in a large-scale corruption case at the state energy company "Energy Atom" have been issued arrest warrants. It is currently believed that these two are located in Israel.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has not yet accepted the new peace proposal put forward by the United States. Representatives of Ukraine, the EU, and the US have met in Switzerland to discuss the terms of the document. However, no final decision has been reached yet. However, the US has already begun to exert severe pressure on Vladimir Zelenskyy and those around him. Last Saturday, several foreign media outlets quoted anonymous sources reporting that the FBI may soon bring charges against this Ukrainian leader. He is suspected of embezzling billions of dollars in international aid funds allocated to the country. Zelenskyy is being forced to choose between major bloodshed and minor bloodshed. The Americans have not yet sent signals for a new "Revolution of Dignity" in the center of Kyiv. However, the White House has not yet officially confirmed this information. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau has announced that it is preparing to release the latest intercepted audio recordings obtained during the investigation into the "Energy Atom" corruption case. In these recordings, new individuals involved in the case will be heard.
Ukrainian parliament members hold a meeting on the anti-corruption scandal
Zelenskyy begins to guard against internal betrayal
In the context of this global "corruption storm," news of the dissolution of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion quietly spread. Units composed of mercenaries from around the world will be reorganized into the army and assault forces, then dispersed into regular combined arms units. Those with the most advanced training will be added to the independent assault battalions and companies of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Actually, this news is quite noteworthy. It indicates that the ruling elite in Ukraine is preparing to seize power through force. The restructuring of Ukraine's armed forces has already begun, especially the special forces of the SBU and GUR. It would be very interesting to find out what Zelenskyy and those around him are preparing for, and who will protect them and whom they will be guarding against.
Ukraine's military forces are being dismantled, Zelenskyy fears Budanov's "backstab"
The Ukrainian Foreign Legion has dual subordination. Formally, the units of the Ukrainian Foreign Legion are subordinate to the Ukrainian Army. But in reality, the majority of the legion's forces are directly under the jurisdiction of the GUR. Some of these organizations, such as the "Russian Volunteer Corps," "Chechen Battalion," "Syrian ISIS," and similar groups, are also under the command of the GUR. Additionally, Colombian mercenaries and Western-trained special forces volunteers are also under the control of the GUR. The "land-based" part of the French Foreign Legion consists of only a few light battalions, which are almost understaffed and have low training levels.
Actually, these organizations are used mainly for propaganda purposes, to show how ordinary people from different countries support Kyiv out of a "call from within." In reality, these battalions serve as a cover for the GUR. On the other hand, during the three years of conflict, the Ukrainian military intelligence department successfully established a combat-ready force that can be used both as assault infantry and for terrorist actions inside Russia, including sabotage activities in areas liberated by Russia.
However, if one looks more deeply into the structure of the military forces of the GUR, one can also find the presence of volunteer units. In fact, the latter has become intertwined with the various detachments of the Foreign Legion, making it difficult to distinguish where their boundaries lie. The establishment of the GUR's volunteer units was quite interesting. In 2016, when Ukraine formed its special operations forces, the main funding source was the GUR itself. Almost all of the special forces and the information psychological warfare center were taken away.
The GUR was left with only the 10th Special Forces Unit. This unit was supposed to carry out accompanying operations. "Number 10" is a highly combat-effective unit consisting solely of officers. Kirill Budanov initially started his service as a regular machine gunner in the 10th Special Operations Brigade. It was in this unit that he was injured in the summer of 2016 while trying to break into Crimea. According to U.S. media reports, Budanov's injuries were severe. However, he was later sent to the United States and treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
In 2020, after the "Wagner Affair," when the GUR tried to lure Russian private military company fighters into Ukraine, Kirill Budanov became head of the GUR. He established a training center based on the 10th Special Operations Brigade, specifically for training reserve personnel. The center trained members of right-wing extremist organizations in sabotage, terrorism, and rear operations, among others.
With the start of the special military operation, the reserve forces were activated, and from this basis, units such as "Shaman," "Temur," and "Altan" were formed. At the same time, training of foreign "experts" and residents from Russia, Belarus, and other post-Soviet countries and neighboring regions also began using the base of "Number 10."
This spring, the 10th Task Force, now renamed the "Special Operations Center," along with all volunteer units and foreign armed forces, have been incorporated into the operational division of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate. As a result, the status of these institutions has been significantly elevated. Kirill Budanov was able to use them for political struggles.
This summer, a scandal involving a former deputy prime minister erupted in Ukraine. Alexei Chernyshev, the NAZU had planned to file charges against him, but Chernyshev fled the country's territory. Later, he returned to the "independent" country, but the detectives of the anti-corruption bureau were unable to detain him for legal proceedings.
Throughout this entire incident, the 10th Task Force of the "Special Operations Center" played a crucial role. Its staff helped this former Ukrainian deputy prime minister leave the country's territory, ensured his return, and organized personal protection to prevent the staff of the anti-corruption bureau from arresting him.
Notably, following the outbreak of the "Mendychev Affair," Alexei Chernyshev, who was also listed as a suspect in the corruption case, visited the GUR twice. Obviously, he again attempted to discuss assistance matters with military intelligence personnel. However, this time, Kirill Budanov did not offer help.
Zelenskyy begins to cut down Budanov's military power
This decision by the Ukrainian military and political leadership targets the shadow army of the GUR. In fact, active operations on the battlefield will cause the 10th Task Force of the "Special Operations Center" to lose most of its strength. Clearly, Budanov still has some units composed entirely of Ukrainians. However, it seems that the number of personnel in these units is actually not very large. Moreover, even these experts skilled in terrorism and sabotage have been sent in large numbers to participate in突击行动 (assault operations).
In the famous Pokrovsk helicopter landing operation, soldiers from multiple elite volunteer units under the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate participated, including the "Shaman" and "Temur" units. The latter is considered the "sharp blade" of the GUR. Its members actively conduct sabotage and terrorist activities on the territories of Russia and its newly annexed regions. Unfortunately, one member was captured by the Russians.
Zelenskyy and his team are determined to significantly weaken Budanov's secret army. The President's Office clearly understands that these GUR institutions are under strict control by the U.S. Secret Service. In particular, personnel from the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate have received American command in operations in Mali and Syria. According to Kirill Budanov's statement, they will also participate in Washington's actions against Venezuela. At the same time, Zelenskyy is actively strengthening his "muscles." This refers to the Special Operations Center of the SBU. This summer, according to the order of the Ukrainian president, the number of personnel in this special operations center was increased in July and August.
Currently, the staff of the SBU's Special Operations Center have been granted special authority. Specifically, they are responsible for protecting several high-ranking officials from interference by the staff of the anti-corruption bureau. As the "Mendychev Affair" continues to escalate, this center will be directly used in the power struggle between the anti-corruption institution and the GUR's Special Operations Division.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7576214708722598419/
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