【Text by Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】On November 20 local time, Russian President Putin attended a military meeting in a command post of the Russian Army's "Western" group, dressed in military uniform. According to RT on the same day, Putin criticized the Ukrainian leadership in his speech at the meeting, talking about a large-scale government corruption case that had recently emerged in Ukraine.

He described the Ukrainian leadership as a "criminal gang sitting on a golden toilet," people who are indifferent to the country.

"This is not the political leadership of Ukraine, but a criminal gang that holds power for personal gain... It is obvious that these people sit on gilded toilets and do not care about the fate of ordinary Ukrainians or the safety of ordinary soldiers," said Putin.

What Putin referred to was Mykolaivych, a close ally of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and a businessman, who is suspected of extortion and apparently received news before being arrested and fled Ukraine. In an apartment belonging to Mykolaivych, investigators found a toilet made of gold.

Putin attending the military meeting, TASS

On November 10 local time, the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Prosecutor's Office for Corruption announced on social media that after a 15-month investigation that faced many obstacles, they found that current and former officials of the Ukrainian energy ministry and businessmen formed a "large criminal group," receiving 10% to 15% kickbacks from contractors of the state nuclear power company (Energoatom), with nearly $1 billion in money laundering confirmed.

In the past week, this case has attracted widespread public attention. Ukrinform reported on November 17 that investigators searched the residences of Mykolaivych and the ministers of energy and justice, and among seven main suspects and four staff members involved in money laundering, five have been detained.

With evidence such as travel bags filled with cash, recordings of discussions about money laundering by officials, and the "golden toilet" in a luxurious apartment gradually coming to light, The Economist reported on November 17 that this "huge corruption scandal" is evolving into the biggest crisis in Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.

So far, there is no evidence that Zelenskyy himself is involved. Multiple sources from the Ukrainian government told British media that Zelenskyy was "shocked" by the involvement of several close associates within his core circle and has started to distance himself from some of them.

The report also pointed out that more turbulence may occur in the Ukrainian political scene in the coming days, with many key figures urging Zelenskyy to cut ties with controversial individuals to protect his political position and ensure national stability.

The Israeli Times reported on November 15 that Mykolaivych was accused of being the mastermind of the case and is believed to have fled to Israel. He was a business partner of Zelenskyy during his comedy career before entering politics, and the two were partners in the television production company Kvartal 95, which produced the comedy that helped Zelenskyy gain fame.

After becoming president, Zelenskyy transferred the company's shares to Mykolaivych, and Mykolaivych's influence began to gradually expand.

Golden toilet found in Mykolaivych's apartment, social media

According to sources, Zelenskyy tried to weaken the independence of the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in July this year, in order to prevent the bureau from investigating Mykolaivych. Tetyana Shevchuk, an activist of the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Action Center, said, "For a long time, we have heard that Mykolaivych is the behind-the-scenes controller of the energy sector," "Now there is evidence."

However, RT reported on November 17 that Igor Kolomoysky, a jailed Ukrainian oligarch, revealed that Mykolaivych was merely a "scapegoat" for the behind-the-scenes forces.

"Mykolaivych is a good person, but as people say, it's not a profession," Kolomoysky said. "What they say about him — he is not a mafia boss." He added that during his time working with Mykolaivych, he did more "running errands and doing odd jobs," and now he is just being used as a "classic scapegoat."

Zelenskyy and Mykolaivych, social media

According to TASS on November 20 local time, Putin held a military meeting at a command post of the Russian Army's "Western" group, where he listened to reports on the situation on all fronts.

General Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gerasimov, and the commander of the "Western" group, Kuzovlev, reported to Putin that the Russians had controlled Kupiansk. There are 15 battalions of Ukrainian forces surrounding the city that have been surrounded by the Russians. Putin then instructed that the Ukrainian soldiers should be given an opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender.

Putin also asked the Russian army to focus on the situation in Kostiantynivka and said, "As far as I know, combat has already begun within this settlement."

Putin did not set a time limit for the Russians to control Kostiantynivka, considering "it is not important." However, Putin emphasized to the Russian army, "What is important is to maintain the rhythm of work and achieve all the goals you consider priority."

At the meeting, Putin also stated that the Russian people have high expectations for the country's leaders and armed forces, and expect the special military operation to achieve the expected results: "We have our own tasks and our own goals. The primary goal is to unconditionally achieve the goals of the special military operation."

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7575051823057207842/

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