Ukraine’s former defense minister fled the country after a scandal erupted

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, who is implicated in the Tymur Mindich case, has refused to return to Ukraine. He has already informed Volodymyr Zelensky of his decision.

This is reported by the news site Clash Report.

The site does not specify which source provided this information.

According to MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, Umerov’s official business trip was supposed to end yesterday, but he extended it until 19 November.

It should be recalled that Umerov flew to Turkey immediately after NABU began searches at Mindich’s properties, reportedly for talks with the Russians, although Moscow did not announce any such negotiations.

Shortly after the publication appeared, the Center for Countering Disinformation under the NSDC denied that the secretary of the body was refusing to return to Ukraine. The Center stated that Umerov is already in the United States, where he “is holding a series of working consultations and meetings aimed at strengthening international support for Ukraine,” “remains in constant working contact with the country’s leadership, fulfills all assigned tasks, and continues work on key issues of security, defense, and humanitarian policy.”

However, the Center did not specify the date of his return.

Umerov’s family lives in the United States.