+++ Ukraine-Krieg +++: Rumänische Jets zerstören Drohne vor Gasprojekt im Schwarzen Meer

Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities conducted searches on suspects, focusing on alleged money laundering activities worth millions. Vice chairman of the Presidential Office in Kiev, Iryna Mudra, was also targeted. Following a morning raid, Mudra confirmed to Facebook that a search had taken place and she cooperated with the authorities.

She subsequently submitted her resignation, which President Volodymyr Zelensky also granted a few hours later. Investigative efforts in Ukraine have now expanded to scrutinize Zelensky's inner circle, with Mudra among those targeted. Vice chairman Iryna Mudra faced accusations of million-dollar money laundering, while former Defense Minister Mychailo Fedorov criticized Zelensky's failure to combat corruption in a video message.

Fedorov also called for elections, potentially positioning himself as Zelensky's rival in a presidential race. With escalating costs for the war against Ukraine, Russian donors responded to a fundraising appeal, contributing billions to the Ukrainian state budget. By mid-August, 383.69 billion rubles (approximately 3.9 billion euros) had been donated, which was nearly double the amount collected in all of 2025.

This donation surpassed all expectations. Most of the funds were allocated after an appeal was issued in March, targeting entrepreneurs, individuals, corporate or family foundations, according to the Russian Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurs, Alexander Schochin. Each major donor decides independently on their voluntary contribution based on their financial circumstances.

The precise use of these funds remains unclear. The Russian government faces a significant deficit due to rising expenditures on Putin's ongoing war in Ukraine. The government might introduce a special surcharge for the financial sector in the fall to generate additional revenue. President Putin had previously increased income and VAT taxes to fund the conflict.