Rustem Umerov's Alleged Escape from the Country Denied

Today, on November 17, Russian media reported that a high-ranking Ukrainian official, the former Minister of Defense and current Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, may have left the country and not plan to return. According to these reports, Umerov is on an international trip and has allegedly decided not to come back to Ukraine.

However, these claims were officially denied in Ukraine. The Center for Countering Disinformation stated that Umerov is currently in the United States, where he is engaged in working meetings.

It was also emphasized that Umerov remains in constant communication with the country's leadership. Notably, the rumors about Umerov fleeing emerged in Russian media amidst a corruption scandal.

This scandal is connected to Ukrainian businessman Timur Mindich, who managed to flee to Israel. Mindich has been portrayed in Ukrainian media as a shadow leader in the energy sector.

For reference: Rustem Umerov was born in 1982 in Samarkand into a Crimean Tatar family. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, his family relocated to Crimea.

Until September 2023, he served as Ukraine's Minister of Defense and also chaired the State Property Fund of Ukraine. Read “Zamin” on Telegram!