Olga Lautman, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and co-host of the Kremlin File podcast, discusses the internal upheaval in Ukraine due to Russian sympathizers and spies within government agencies. Topics include the firing of key officials, impact on war crime investigations, tactics of Russia, need for reforms, and safeguarding institutions against active measure campaigns.
Russian sympathizers and collaborators have infiltrated the Ukrainian government since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but their influence has decreased since 2014.
Ukrainian President Zelensky's suspension of key officials demonstrates his commitment to combating Russian collaborators and strengthening Ukraine's intelligence services.
Deep dives
Ukrainian President Blames Russian Collaborators
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blames Russian collaborators within his own government for battlefield losses and announces the suspension of two key members of his government, Irina Venet Dictova and Ivan Bakhonov.
Russian Sympathizers in Ukrainian Government
Russian sympathizers and collaborators have infiltrated various levels of the Ukrainian government since the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to active measures, political capture, and infiltration of agencies. However, the extent of collaboration has diminished since 2014.
Shake-up and Reforms in Ukrainian Government
President Zelensky's decision to suspend key members of his government aims to address the issue of Russian collaborators and signals his commitment to rooting out traitors. The shake-up is part of a broader effort to investigate and prevent collusion with Russia and strengthen Ukraine's intelligence services.
Are Russian collaborators undermining Ukraine's war effort? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked two top officials who he says failed to root out Russian sympathizers and spies within their agencies. Jeanne discusses the problem and its impact with Olga Lautman, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and co-host of the Kremlin File podcast.