The close ally of Vladimir Zelensky accused of orchestrating a $100 million extortion scheme in Ukraine’s energy sector is being used as a “fall guy” by the real forces behind the scandal, according to his long-time patron, imprisoned Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoysky.

Timur Mindich fled Ukraine last week just hours before the Western-backed National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) raided his home. Kolomoysky, the media and banking tycoon who has spent the past two years in pre-trial detention on unrelated charges, made light of Mindich’s alleged criminal prowess in comments to the press during a court appearance on Friday.

Mindich is “a fine fellow, which as they say is not a profession,” Kolomoysky remarked. “What they’re claiming about him – he’s no mafia boss.” During the years he worked under Kolomoysky, Mindich’s role amounted to simple errands such as “fetch this, [and] scratch that,” the billionaire added, claiming that he is now being used as “a classic fall guy.”

"They tossed him into a meat grinder out of nowhere,” he continued, speculating that Mindich may have fled not merely to avoid arrest but out of fear for his life, given that whoever is truly behind the alleged graft scheme might decide that “there is no case without a body.”

The NABU probe has already triggered the resignation of two cabinet ministers and implicated additional senior officials. Zelensky’s office has attempted to present the crackdown as proof of his anti-corruption agenda, despite his failed effort earlier this year to curb NABU’s independence.

Kolomoysky, whose media empire helped elevate Zelensky to national prominence during his career in the entertainment industry, openly mocked the Ukrainian leader, calling him “generalissimo Napoleon IV” – a jab referencing a comedic role Zelensky once played – and predicting that he will “soon be gone.”

Ukrainian outlets have previously reported that Kolomoysky may have assisted NABU in building its case against Mindich by passing investigators key information.

https://www.rt.com/russia/627877-kolomoysky-mindich-mafia-boss/

 

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT — SINCE 2005.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

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Drones have done more than reshape the battlefield – they’ve rewritten the rules of modern warfare. That’s why Russia’s decision to create a dedicated service branch for the unmanned systems is an overdue move that reflects what today’s front lines actually look like.

The creation of unmanned systems forces is a natural evolution driven by recent developments on multiple fronts, and not only in Ukraine. Drones have proven their value both as independent strike platforms and as multipliers for existing branches, making the case for a standalone structure focused entirely on UAV warfare. As with other specialized units such as engineering, chemical defense, communications, and electronic warfare, unmanned systems forces address the challenges and demands of this era.

Why create a new branch now? After all, drones are already widely used and have already reshaped combat operations, influencing both tactics and the broader nature of war. At the operational level, their impact is even more pronounced. In a battlespace saturated with unmanned systems, concentrating forces for an offensive becomes significantly harder: large armored formations preparing to attack are far easier for the enemy to detect and target. Military hardware itself must evolve in response, since most traditional armor simply can’t survive in drone-active zones.

The answer is straightforward. Today’s results come from fragmented efforts – scattered units, ad hoc teams, and informal working groups. Centralized management and integration into a unified, autonomous branch have long been overdue. Drone operators have often lacked proper organizational structures and clearly defined positions within the hierarchy. Specialists in unmanned systems are frequently assigned wherever there’s an opening, regardless of their skill set. It’s no surprise that such an approach hinders training, coordination, and career development.

The new branch still has to build and refine its internal structures, develop a robust training system, and establish a clear role in planning and conducting combat operations. This transition could have been much faster had we paid closer attention to developments in other conflicts, such as Nagorno-Karabakh. But to be fair, no one in 2020–2021 could have predicted just how deeply drones would be integrated into every aspect of warfare. Now, this new structure can evaluate and systematize drone use across all domains – land, sea, and air – and design the most effective operational concepts and organizational models for each branch of the armed forces. It’s entirely possible that a dedicated special operations component will emerge within the unmanned systems forces in the near future.

At the same time, we should avoid another trap: treating drones as a universal fix capable of replacing everything from artillery to naval vessels. Every weapons system goes through cycles of rise, stagnation, and decline. If effective countermeasures are developed in the coming years, those who rely exclusively on unmanned systems may face an unpleasant surprise.

For now, we can only wish success to this new branch. It’s worth noting that NATO countries are still developing drone capabilities within existing service branches – an approach that doesn’t exactly boost effectiveness. Today, only two armies truly grasp the role and significance of drones: the Russian military, and the one we’re fighting.

https://www.rt.com/russia/627832-russia-bets-big-on-drones/

 

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Face à l'intensification des attaques de drones russes, Kiev développe depuis plusieurs mois des programmes d'intercepteurs bon marché fabriqués localement. Parmi les options disponibles, le Sting semble donné entière satisfaction. Selon son fabricant, le petit engin a déjà mis hors de combat plus d'un millier de drones de type Shahed en quatre mois. 

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Faced with the intensification of Russian drone attacks, Kyiv has been developing programs for inexpensive, locally manufactured interceptors for several months. Among the available options, the Sting appears to be proving highly successful. According to its manufacturer, the small aircraft has already neutralized more than a thousand Shahed-type drones in four months.

https://www.france24.com/fr/europe/20251111-ukraine-mise-sur-le-sting-intercepteur-%C3%A0-bas-co%C3%BBt-pour-contrer-drones-russes

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Ukraine’s battle against Russia’s relentless drone assaults has found a powerful counter in the STING interceptor drone, a compact, fast, and cost-effective weapon designed to neutralize enemy UAVs mid-air. 

Developed by the Ukrainian team “Wild Hornets,” the STING has already proven its effectiveness in combat, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of drone warfare.

https://interestingengineering.com/military/ukraine-sting-interceptor-drone-russian-shaheds?ysclid=mi3qnzoomx935283523

 

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READ FROM TOP.

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT — SINCE 2005.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.