Zelensky Under Pressure: Corruption Scandal, Front‑Line Losses and a Controversial U.S. Peace Plan

President Volodymyr Zelensky faces mounting pressure at home and on the front as a high‑profile corruption probe, worsening battlefield setbacks and a U.S.‑proposed 28‑point peace plan converge to erode public confidence and political room for maneuver.

On the ground: Gennady Druzhenko, a 54‑year‑old volunteer doctor who trains recruits and runs a frontline medical charity that has treated tens of thousands of casualties, says morale in his training camp has collapsed. Of roughly 1,000 recruits he encounters, most are conscripts — many elderly or medically unfit — mobilised to fill gaps at the front. “Some of these men are almost 60 and it’s a tragedy that they’ve been mobilised nonetheless,” he says. He adds that emerging corruption allegations make it harder to persuade people to fight.

The corruption probe: Investigators have opened inquiries into alleged graft at Energoatom, the state nuclear power operator. Authorities say recorded conversations point to the possible siphoning of up to $100 million from contracting processes; seven officials, including associates of senior political figures, are under investigation and at least one suspect reportedly left the country after learning of an arrest warrant. Sensational reports — from stacks of cash to luxury items seized during searches — have increased public outrage. All allegations remain subject to legal proceedings.

The timing of the energy‑sector scandal is politically painful. Russian strikes have severely damaged Ukraine’s power grid: hundreds of thousands of people face prolonged outages, and Kyiv has experienced daily scheduled blackouts. Ukrainians struggling with cold, dark winter conditions have been quick to point fingers at both the Russian attacks and alleged domestic mismanagement or corruption that may have hampered protective work on critical infrastructure.

Washington’s 28‑point proposal: At the same time, a U.S.‑crafted 28‑point plan has been publicised that would recognise many of Russia’s territorial gains, require Kyiv to cede four towns in Donetsk, halve the size of Ukraine’s armed forces and bar acquisition of long‑range missiles capable of reaching Moscow, in exchange for unspecified security guarantees and a promise to drop war‑crime charges. Critics in Europe and among many Ukrainians call the proposal tantamount to capitulation; supporters who accept the harsh calculus of current battlefield realities argue it may be the least bad option.

President Zelensky has signalled willingness to “work on the points of the plan to end the war,” a stance that some officials say is a pragmatic engagement and others view as an indication of political vulnerability while the administration reels from scandal.

Military consequences and social fracture: On the front, commanders warn that the fall of key towns such as Pokrovsk would expose Donbas garrisons and force troop redistributions that could threaten Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine also appears to be strained for manpower: estimates suggest around 200,000 military‑age men have evaded mobilisation since 2022, a number roughly comparable to the nation’s initial wartime force. Complaints that resources — including thermal drones and other equipment — are diverted to border policing rather than frontline needs add to frustration.

Draft evasion and perceived corruption have widened social divides between veterans and non‑combatants. A growing group of battle‑hardened nationalist veterans could resist any settlement they deem unacceptable and may press for greater influence over national strategy. Some commentators warn that if political and military leadership does not change, unrest or extra‑institutional pressure could follow; others caution that any coup or forceful takeover would damage Ukraine’s international legitimacy and support.

Political fallout and next steps: Many analysts believe Zelensky will feel compelled to make visible personnel changes to restore credibility. One widely discussed option is the dismissal of Andriy Yermak, the powerful chief of staff who controls access to the president and is seen by some as bearing indirect responsibility for failures in oversight. Removing senior aides would be largely symbolic but might reassure domestic and international partners that Kyiv is taking accountability seriously.

Observers note that corruption is not new to Ukrainian politics, but the public exposure of alleged abuses during a time of acute hardship and war has amplified anger. Whether Kyiv can translate accountability and reform into restored morale, maintain military effectiveness during a hard winter, and negotiate an acceptable diplomatic outcome remains the central question.

Bottom line: The intersection of alleged high‑level graft, worsening battlefield dynamics and a divisive peace proposal has put Zelensky in an unusually precarious position. How he responds in the coming weeks — in personnel decisions, anti‑corruption action and wartime strategy — will shape Ukraine’s ability to sustain public support and international backing.