This article was originally published on Twitter.
The sudden dismissal by Zelensky of the head of Ukraine’s security services and the general prosecutor amid the opening of treason investigations against 651 state officials clearly indicates a major crisis within the regime.
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Contrary to claims that Ukraine is absolutely united in pursuing the war, the massive purge – against the backdrop of allegations of pro-Russian betrayal at the highest levels of the state – indicates that there is substantial opposition to war, even within Zelensky’s inner circle.
The NY Times writes: “While Ukraine is largely united in its opposition to Russia’s invasion, its deep cultural and historical ties to Russia have translated, in some parts of the country, into pockets of support in Moscow.”
The opening of 651 investigations into what Zelensky called “treasonous and collaborative activities” strongly indicates that the “pockets of support in Moscow” run very deep.
The NYT states that ties to Russia “particularly in southern Ukraine near the Crimea region…and parts of the east near the Russian border…have resulted in a practical support to Russian forces since the invasion”.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) employs 27,000 people, making it the largest intelligence agency in Europe. It is the apparatus of a police state. The CIA plays a major role in its operations.
The NYT reports: “US officials said the moves reflect Mr. Zelensky’s efforts to place more experienced leaders in key security positions. He adds: “American intelligence agencies have provided huge amounts of information to Ukrainian partners.”
It is likely that the CIA, supplying names to Zelensky, is overseeing the purge of elements within the Ukrainian state that it considers politically unreliable, i.e. who oppose the continuation of the US-NATO #ProxyWar against Russia, whatever the cost in Ukrainian lives.
