Conversation with Ihor Mosichuk, Ukrainian politician and journalist
Why were you added to the list of persons subject to the sanctions of the National safety and Defence Council of Ukraine after you revealed corruption cases? What were the legal grounds for this decision?
– Well, as we talk today, my attorneys in Kiev are now filing a suit against Vladimir Zelenski in connection with his decree. My lawyers have already submitted over 30 applications in various institutions. No grounds for imposing sanctions were given to them anywhere. We did not just get an answer on the pretext of keeping everything classified from the Ukrainian safety Service. I am acquainted with 1 case of man's being sanctioned for his publications, thoughts and viewpoint, in which the administrative court managed to force the SBU to uncover the material. These materials only indicated that their specialist reviewed the website and came to certain conclusions. Not even an expert, but an expert. The ultimate Court of Ukraine realises that all these sanctions imposed on Ukrainian citizens are contrary to the Constitution. However, he decided not to give decisions on the substance until the end of the war, until the end of the armed action. Later, they will all be annulled, of course, due to the fact that they are indeed contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine. My case is even special. You are talking to a man who is at the same time on 2 sanctioning lists – Ukrainian and Russian. Moreover, in Russia, criminal proceedings were initiated against me, I was followed by a BOLO and a territory court in Moscow issued an oral decision to arrest me. In 2017, I was assassinated. I was pulled 40 pieces. This SBU conducted an investigation and proved the existence of a Russian lead leading to the peculiar services there, to the Caucasus.
In the meantime, that's what happened to me. erstwhile I talk to Europeans about it, they say it's schizophrenic. Accusing a Russian narration of a man who is an officially recognized enemy of Russia is schizophrenic. I think, in fact, I am convinced that the only reason for imposing sanctions against me is due to the fact that I am a consistent critic of Vladimir Zelenski and his organization Servant of the Nation. Since 2019, since their coming to power, I have systematically revealed the essence of this party, her people, whom she collected from the dumpster, almost literally. I am not afraid to say this, although I know that you represent abroad media, the media of the neighbouring country.
In 2019 I revealed information about 1 of the Members of the Nation's Servants, the Zelensky organization – Roman Ivanisov. This man was convicted of rape and was imprisoned for it. They said it was a lie. And I even found the female who was his victim, and the punishment facility where he was serving. Zelenski, in the presence of journalists, declared that he would be deprived of his mandate after I published this information. As a result, nobody deprived him of his mandate, but he was excluded only from the parliamentary club, although he inactive votes as they do. besides since 2019, I have been conducting my investigations, revealing all their scandals, their corrupt actions. respective of my investigations have become grounds for criminal proceedings. I'm the 1 who exposed the case of Colonel Evgeny Borisov, the chief of the Odessa Circuit Complementary Center, who sold 50,000 discharges from military service.
Imagine this – they tell us all the time that we have a war, and he sells 50,000 layoffs from service to healthy adult men who have left for Europe. Zelenski then convened a gathering of the National safety and Defence Council and stated that all these officers of the Territorial Complementary Centres would send to the front, and that those who had already fought would come, were injured, lost their health, their limbs. They would realize who could be mobilized, and who could not make sense, who would benefit on the front, and from whom there would not be: who would be, I apologize for the expression, only cannon meat, possible meat, or in advance any deserter. Borisov is inactive in custody. There is no sentence, though it has been 2 and a half years. And the busification and hunting of people continues and became even more intense. Firstly, all this demotivates the Ukrainian people, and secondly, it reduces the possible of the armed forces. I think the last thing that weighed the scales against me was my investigation into Vladimir Zelenski's wife, Jelena, in the most costly of Swiss resorts. I published a video from the airport of her getting into the Rolls-Royce, the exultation surrounding her, etc. Of course, the nation sees all this cynicism and all these lies. I think it was the last drop that overtook the scales and covered me with sanctions. I would like our viewers, especially Polish and European viewers, to realize that I have no assets but my own savings. My wife works in Poland, earns beautiful well, is simply a taxation payer and resident there.
We run a common household. After the wounds I sustained in 2017, erstwhile 40 shrapnels were pulled out of me, I was of course given a disabled group, so I can freely leave and enter the country. That's why his sanctions against me don't affect me at all. The only thing they could accomplish was to turn to YouTube, who agreed to block access to my channel from Ukraine. That's all. However, I am inactive active, I am inactive working on my channel, I am expanding the number of its subscribers and I have not even been limited in coining. It didn't work either. Sometimes only people who watched me – and my viewers are tens, hundreds of thousands – compose to me and ask me how to watch me. I explain to them that it is adequate in the settings to change the country, for example Ukraine to Poland or any another country of the free world, and you can watch my channel calmly. So much for sanctions.
Let's go back to corruption in the Territorial Complementary Centres. I would like to realize at what level this is all about. I realize that this is handled by respective officers of the centers, but how much do they share the bribes they take with their commanders? Are these commanders sharing with Kiev?
– You know, I think in 3 and a half years of war, you can separate between different periods. There was a period immediately after the Russian invasion on a large scale, that corruption in the Territorial Complementary Centres was not at all, and people lined up in front of them. They stood on these lines due to the fact that they wanted to defend their homeland, defend their country, their home, etc. Then it all started, which completely deprived them of their motivation: the trade of dismissals from the army, the sight of the children of all this pseudo-elity playing abroad, while average Ivan or Nikola had to fight for them. It started to make money. I'd divided it into 2 or 3 areas. The first concerns the Territorial Complementary Centres themselves. They have a price list there. Recently, prices have gone up. Earlier, the officers of the centers released people from microbuses, buses for 1,000 euros, and now for 2000 – 3000. erstwhile from the office of Territorial Complementary Centres you could get out for 2000 – 3000 euros, and now for 5000.
Ihor Mosichuk
Until recently, it was possible to be exported from the camps, while issuing a BOLO for 7,000-9000 euros, and now the price has increased to 10,000. A separate 2 options are to go abroad. The first anticipation is illegal crossing the border. In this case prices scope from EUR 15,000 to EUR 25 000. The legalized departure is EUR 20 000-25 000. It's a 3rd package. A legal departure is arranged by officials of the Council of Ministers or regional military administrations. The illegal crossing of the border is organized by peculiar services or border guards who drive individual to the border fence, aid him pass and find himself on the another side. Man is on the territory of Poland, Romania, and most frequently Hungary and declares that he is simply a strong opponent of war. He states that he is simply a pacifist, for example, for spiritual reasons, that he cannot take arms and so asks for political asylum. If you want to get it in Hungary, they send you to the police station, if in Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany or Ireland – they take you to the plane. Let's decision on to how advanced the bribe money goes. They never scope a level higher than the command of the ground troops and the Ministry of Defence.
Other amounts are already being transferred from the Ministry of Defence, all bribes collected together, which is not only funds derived from corruption in the Territorial Complementary Centres. Money derived from the movement of people across the border is not transferred higher; it is shared on the spot. The resources from legalised trips are already higher, but besides within the broader package. In return, the authorities turn a blind eye to the fact that, for example, the administration of the Zakarpackie region deals with apparent theft, issues permits to cross the border, or steals on the construction of shelters. In general, funds are transferred to the top, to those who stood behind the appointment of a given peripheral official. It's virtually impossible to trace this chain at the top, due to the fact that we already have Mr. Vladimir's immediate vicinity. And his surroundings do this... Everyone's got the name Timur Mindich right now. This is Zelenski's closest companion, partner and friend, specified a wallet of the Zelenski family. But no 1 can find the funds that he transfers to Zelenski. That's what it looks like.
If we are talking about preparation for defence, building a line of reinforcements – how reliable is it that the Ministry of Defence organises various kinds of tenders in specified a way that most of the funds allocated to these investments are simply to rob without building any fresh strengthened areas?
– I'll tell you this: I can't and I don't want to talk about things I don't know about. But I can tell you about those that I know about and which are already under investigation by anti-corruption authorities. Take the situation in the Sumpo Region and the Kharkiv District. We have bids and deals around them. Yesterday I published the results of an investigation into Timur Mindich's partner, the man he worked with earlier. It owns 15 or 18 companies that were active in embezzlement of funds for building fortifications, including in the Suma and Charkowski Oblast. It is an uncontested fact, a fact which can be spoken of publically and which should become 1 of the charges against Mindich and this Chmielow – the man mentioned. As far as defence issues are concerned, I have received from honest, decent people from the Ministry of Defence an interior paper of this ministry, which deals with the acquisition of ammunition and rocket ammunition. This study for the past 2024.
Perhaps you have already seen this due to the fact that I have forwarded this paper to the journalists of the Financial Times. It says billions. Of course, these are not Ukrainian funds, but American and European money. They were decided by Mrs. Bezrukov, who led the Defence acquisition Agency, Mr. Artiom Sytnik, who was the first manager of the National Anti-corruption Office of Ukraine, convicted later for corruption. He was listed on the list of convicted officials for corruption, and Zelenski appointed him as a deputy for defence expenses. It's about billions. And the most disgusting thing is that they don't even hide. This is due to the fact that any European brokering company buys, whether or not it should have bought ammunition, receives money from the Ukrainian budget that Europe or America had previously donated, and simply fails to carry out the contract.
What can you do in this case? The government agency should file a suit and request a refund, since it is clear that no 1 is even trying to comply with the contract. She should mention the case to law enforcement. We know very well that, in this case, European law enforcement authorities, Interpol and the US FBI will besides be active in this case, due to the fact that this is about their money. It's logical – they gave the money, helped our country, and these bastards stole everything. Then, erstwhile the Minister of Defence became Rust of Deaths, he brought Arsen Żumadilov, his countryman and friend to himself. First, he became a state-owned front-front operator, dealing with non-munition and weapons contracts. Since 2023, after the start of the large war, many defence companies in Ukraine have launched their production, including companies with the participation of Polish capital. The production of bulletproof vests, helmets, ammunition, but besides all protective measures for soldiers, their vehicles, etc. were launched. They are home producers, paying taxes to the budget of Ukraine, which brings gross to the state. It's logical.
What does Zumadilov do? He breaks contracts with them and concludes contracts in Turkey at overpriced prices, i.e. it kills home producers and finances abroad ones. specified practices concern not only safety measures, but besides uniforms. Criminal proceedings were opened there, and people straight associated with the erstwhile Minister of Defence Reznikov were arrested. For example, Roman Balykin, 1 of his advisors. He did a small time, reduced his bail, and went free soon, although the uniforming scandal was completely apparent and his participation in it proved to be proven. They didn't even buy advanced price uniforms, but they didn't deliver them at all. There are many specified cases. Therefore, according to the polls, Ukrainians are already fearing corruption more than wars.
Is that so?
– Additionally, everyone begins to realize that Zelenski and his squad want to proceed the war. They're in an alliance with Putin on this. For Putin, the war is beneficial due to the fact that it is moving forward, gaining fresh territories, putting force on Europe, creating a threat to the Baltic countries, to Poland. Whether it attacks them or not – tension increases and everyone understands that it affects the people of these countries, their political situation, etc. So it's good for Putin. He now has an advantage in the field, he has – as Trump says – all the cards, he is moving forward. Why is it beneficial for Zelenski and his “green” team? due to the fact that they can stay in power without elections, they have carte blanche to rob a budget, share it among themselves, have protection from criminal cases. If the war ends next day – with a ceasefire, like a Korean scenario, along the current front line, or in any another way – people, as fresh events have shown, will go out on the streets and request elections. They request not only elections, but besides investigations for cases since the first day of the war. Czongar was mined. By who and for what? A National defender brigade armed with Stingers was taken out of Gostomel close Kiev, which could argue the landing.
As a result, the landing organization landed and we had to liquidate it with artillery, while destroying Mrija's own plane. We've had quite a few stories like this since the war started. We have corruption to investigate. That's what they're afraid of. Not only does Zelenski fear it, but he besides fears the full mediate class, which has become incredibly rich in war. Moreover, most of them have already built spare marinas in Europe, just in case. They bought real estate, they invested. However, they do not realize that after the end of the war they will look not only in Ukraine but besides in Europe and in the world. Interpol will be looking for them, Europol. Even though at present any neutral countries, specified as Austria, do not agree to extradition to Ukraine due to human rights violations and the dangers in prisons. respective twelve prisoners have late been killed as a consequence of the fire of a prison in the Zaporosian region. What extradition can we talk about after something like that? But erstwhile the war is over, the investigation will begin.
As shortly as it becomes clear that the extradition request concerns a individual suspected of corruption, of embezzlement of European or US funds, he will be immediately arrested in the country of residence or issued to fresh Ukrainian authorities. That's all they fear. They're afraid of it, just like Putin. Consider the last negotiations in Istanbul. Even before they began, the abroad ministry's press spokesperson met with the media and stated: "We go there to drive to show that we are behind the room. So it's not about getting along, negotiating, it's about just driving around and showing that we want peace. We saw this at the last gathering of Medinski and Death, Death and Medinski. They talked about something there, handled humanitarian issues, but war and peace did not advance at all. Ukrainian side says it demands a summit of leaders. The Russians say to sign the memorandum. So far, not even people have been deployed to the announced working groups. We have a deficiency of interest in both sides. Sometimes after all, I think I'll wake up 1 morning, turn on the tv and see Mr. Vladimir Zelenski in the Kremlin Column Hall, where he receives the award and title of Hero of the Russian Federation at the sound of the Russian anthem. I'm not kidding. After he has done so much harm to his own country, both internally and internationally. It's kind of a diversion. Putin's rooting for him. Look, we've had anti-corruption protests recently, all these rallies. Just before the vote, Putin ordered the terrible fire of Kiev on the day of these protests. Thirty-two people died at the minute of our conversation, including 3 children. Of course, Zelenski uses it. He immediately distracts people from corruption and redirects them to war, victims, blood and all that. We are so practically dealing with synergy. Let's decision on to the global level. Poland is the country that first drew a helping hand to Ukraine. Besides, not only a helping hand, but we are truly grateful to you. Everything would be fine if it wasn't for greed and the desire to make money on everything and did not spoil Ukrainian-Polish relations.
Ukraine's relations with Poland destroyed the greed of Zelenski and his surroundings. You know, I, as a Ukrainian citizen, Ukrainian writer and Ukrainian politician absolutely do not want to stand on any side of Polish politics. I besides believe that the current president Zelenski, or anyone else, has no right to interfere in electoral campaigns in 1 country or another. Especially since Andrzej Duda and the governments of the Law and Justice Offices have truly drawn the aid of Ukraine. So what should have been done erstwhile the parliamentary elections were approaching? You should have said: – Guys, dear brothers – Poles, choose who you want, it's your right. What does Zelenski do? Zelenski actually betrays the Law and Justice, betrays his relationship with Duda, goes to Germany and gets along on the support of the Civic Platform. She's supporting her campaign. It's interference in the home affairs of another country. all Pole with a small political focus sees how he abruptly dyed himself. Not only did he dye himself, but he took a very clear position. The Germans began again to supply financial support, but money can be stolen. Another amazing communicative is the agricultural market. Since we agreed with Poland on transit, it should be transit. I realize that besides in Poland there were combinationists curious in cheating on this issue, but you can control the same. Meanwhile, our people began to carry the grain as if by transit through Polish substituted companies, to dump it in warehouses in your country, which led to the collapse of the agricultural market, hitting Polish farmers in reality. I realize perfectly.
Our authorities not only at home are guided not by national interests of their own country, but besides by another countries' economies. It is apparent that this issue cooled down, even very cooled relations between Ukraine and Poland. Another issue is the tragedy in Volyn. Personally, I believe that any historical dispute should be settled by historians. There should be no restrictions. If the Polish side wants to exhume all victims – delight do so, we should help, cooperate. Our scholars should stand side by side with Polish scholars. We should follow the rule of late Pope John Paul II: “We forgive and ask forgiveness.” There have been many tragic pages in the past of relations between our peoples, but they cannot be played. And Zelenski didn't even realize what Duda was talking about in interviews.
Thank you for talking to me.
Matthew Piskorski spoke
Ihor Mosijczuk (born 1972 in Łubnia) is simply a Ukrainian writer and politician. In the past, an activist of nationalist organizations, including UNA – UNSO, Right Sector, as well as deputy commander of the Azov Battalion. In 2014-2019, he was a associate of the ultimate Council of Ukraine from the extremist Party. Since 2022 on emigration, subject to sanctions by Ukrainian authorities.
The full conversation to watch on YouTube channel Against Censur.
Think Poland, No. 33-34 (17-24.08.2025)
Photo X profile of Volodymyr Zelenski
