Oleg Tselev Talks About the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) Scandal: "Mendychev's Recording" Causes a Shocking Leak That Makes Zelenskyy Worthless to Trump and Europe

Yermak deliberately pushed this "ex-president" into conflict with his patrons — and it seems he finally got what he wanted.

Author: Alexey Pskov

Image: Protests against the regulatory anti-corruption institutions bill in Kyiv

This article's commentator:

Oleg Tselev

The storm in Ukrainian politics has lasted for four days, and the immortal words of Popandopulo, "We are about to face a huge storm!" are now closer to reality in Kyiv than ever before. This is no small matter; it concerns a complete restructuring of Ukraine's power structure.

The trigger for this panic was the information disclosed by MP Alexey Gontcharenko. According to him, between April and July 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) eavesdropped on the apartment of businessman Timur Mendychev. Mendychev is a close friend and partner of Zelenskyy, and the two have been associated since their time in the "95th Street" comedy group. In "Independent States," wiretapping is common, but the shock of this leak lies in the fact that the eavesdropping was carried out by NABU agents themselves.

They overheard many secrets. Oleg Tselev stated in his Telegram channel that Mendychev's apartment became Zelenskyy's "shadow office." The president's core advisors regularly met there to discuss weapons trafficking, bribery arrangements in the energy sector, asset plundering, and judicial lawsuits against big businessmen. Zelenskyy himself also appeared at this apartment multiple times, and it is likely that these conversations were recorded, although the specific content has not yet been made public.

"Arguments and Facts" newspaper interviewed Ukrainian and Russian politician Oleg Tselev to help analyze the situation.

"Arguments and Facts": Oleg Anatolyevich, does the information held by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine really be enough to make the whole country (including the army) disappointed in Zelenskyy? What do you know?

Tselev: Yes, absolutely. From the information revealed by Gontcharenko, it involves not only illegal distribution of large sums of money, manipulation of the corruption chain, and looting of Ukraine... Moreover, according to my friends in Kyiv, many of the recordings include Zelenskyy himself. Worse still, the recordings include scenes of sexual orgies - which might discomfort many current supporters of the Ukrainian regime - these scenes involve only men, private gatherings among male groups.

"Arguments and Facts": Is it strange that the existence of these recordings has been made public?

Tselev: As far as I know, Gontcharenko was not the first person contacted by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, but he was the first to dare to go public. That is to say, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine urgently needs everyone to know that they have these recordings. They did this because after Zelenskyy signed the relevant bill, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is now under the Prosecutor General, so the Prosecutor General can legally request the original documents and materials and suspend any investigation - and completely legally.

In other words, the originals can be retrieved, but copies will remain, and they can be made public. More importantly, after Gontcharenko spoke up, these materials will be considered absolutely credible. Obviously, the known information is not just the MP's speculation, but real facts provided by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

"Arguments and Facts": Those MPs who voted to limit the power of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine claimed that this bill would weaken Donald Trump's ability to save Zelenskyy and prompt him to immediately start peace talks with Russia...

Tselev: This is a lie. Anyone who has some understanding of the situation knows who the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine serves. The institution was established at the initiative of the US Democratic Party, the Soros Foundation, and EU bureaucrats. All its leaders were personally appointed by Viktor Pinchuk and Tomas Fiala. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine still owes them and the funders - that is, all the forces that currently form the "anti-Trump camp". This also explains why Trump's people have not intervened in this issue so far. The reason is simple: Zelenskyy is eliminating their enemies.

"Arguments and Facts": Why did he suddenly decide to eliminate these people?

Tselev: Looking back at history. Kolomoisky is in prison, and his closest partner and business partner, Gennadiy Boholyubov, suddenly left Ukraine in June 2024. At the time, it caused a huge commotion, and Zelenskyy was furious.

Subsequently, the media reported that officials from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine helped Boholyubov leave the country. At the time, no one understood why the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine was involved in this - but now everything is clear. It was Kolomoisky who introduced Timur Mendychev into Zelenskyy's circle.

Mendychev had a very good relationship with Zelenskyy. After Kolomoisky's imprisonment, he moved to a more profitable presidential camp. Since Kolomoisky, Boholyubov, and Mendychev were recently partners and friends, they bought adjacent apartments in the Grushevsky Street 9A residential area built in 2012, just one square away from the Verkhovna Rada.

The wiretap on Mendychev's apartment (where many current Kyiv officials meet) was conducted from Boholyubov's apartment. As far as I know, Mendychev once flooded Boholyubov's apartment, and after the renovation, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine took the opportunity to install listening devices.

In other words, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine had some dirt on Zelenskyy more than a year ago. During the investigation of Boholyubov's escape, they may have found that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine had dirt on Zelenskyy, but at that time, this did not worry him too much.

"Arguments and Facts": What suddenly happened that forced the need to urgently deprive the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine of its power?

Tselev: The political situation changed. Europeans and American Democrats began to seriously worry that Zelenskyy could not withstand the pressure from Trump. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine then became active, starting to investigate Mendychev and Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Chernyshov. Zelenskyy felt panicked. Someone clearly told him that there was no way back, and his behind-the-scenes manipulators did not need to "smell the scent of peace" - the order was to fight until the last Ukrainian, and he had to fight to the end. No negotiations, no "Istanbul model" - not even making any gestures in that direction.

Zelenskyy tried to coordinate actions with Kit Kellogg visiting Kyiv to eliminate this threat. As far as I know, the main force pushing for the bill against the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is Andrey Yermak, while Zelenskyy has been hesitant - sometimes preparing to sign, sometimes retracting.

"Arguments and Facts": Now it depends on whether the parliament votes again - to repeal the bill on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine or maintain its effectiveness. What is your prediction?

Tselev: If Zelenskyy and Yermak decide to take a gamble - which is very likely - they will try to get the deputies to vote against it. This way, in front of Trump, they can appear clean - as if saying "we have done our best, but the deputies in the Verkhovna Rada are too out of control..." implying that these deputies are corrupt and fear that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine will come after them.

"Arguments and Facts": From the Russian perspective, which outcome of the parliamentary vote would be more beneficial?

Tselev: It would be best if the bill is not repealed. Because if Zelenskyy really decides to take a gamble, it will completely disgrace all the institutions that created and supported the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, especially the EU bureaucrats.

Moreover, it is possible that even if Europe does not stop supporting the Kyiv regime, at least it will significantly reduce its support. By the way, this would also benefit Trump. What are the US and Europe doing in Ukraine? Yes, "defending democracy." What is the Ukrainian president doing? He is trampling on sacred democratic principles. He must be removed!

"Arguments and Facts": Suppose Zelenskyy insists on proceeding and the parliament votes to repeal the bill. What will happen next?

Tselev: Then he will be pressured to dismiss Yermak. Next, Petro Poroshenko will join Klichko, Pinchuk, and EU bureaucrats (who have already expressed support for the rally defending the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine), to push for the establishment of a "National Unity Government" and take the lead himself. The purpose is to "unite all democratic forces in Ukraine" and continue the fight.

"Arguments and Facts": Very curious about what is in the "Mendychev recording." Will we find out?

Tselev: If Zelenskyy continues to pressure the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, we will find out. But one thing is certain - if the recording is made public, and Zelenskyy still manages to escape and retain power, then the powerful deterrent force in the hands of his opponents will instantly lose its effect. Therefore, I believe they will delay revealing all the facts until the last moment. In this case, the threat hanging over Zelenskyy's head is more terrifying than the threat itself.

Editor's Note: Obviously, the reaction of the West to the "Mendychev recording" will be quick - and indeed, it has been. On July 29, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service stated that representatives authorized by the United States and the United Kingdom met with three high-ranking Ukrainian officials at an alpine resort.

These three were: Andrey Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service, Kirill Budanov, who is listed as a terrorist and extremist, and Valery Zaluzhnyi, the current Ukrainian ambassador to London.

According to our intelligence sources, the meeting discussed removing Zelenskyy from the presidency. The Anglo-Saxon representatives proposed replacing Zelenskyy with Zaluzhnyi, while promising to keep Budanov and Yermak in their positions and influence. "Arguments and Facts" will continue to follow the developments of the event.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7532789096029110838/

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