Government decries Wagnergate doc drop as exposing secrets

The Ukrainian government’s attempt to brush aside
allegations of an attempt to lure into Ukriaine Russian veterans of the war in
Donbas collapsed on Nov. 18. Journalist Yanina Sokolova published documents
showing the official preparations for the operation. Mykhailo Podoliak, an
advisor to the head of the presidential office Andrii Yermak, stated on Nov. 18
that the documents released give Ukraine’s enemies insight into how Ukraine’s
intelligence officers work, and that this is a “serious blow” to the country.

The events come after the former head of intelligence
operations Vasyl Burba, as quoted by Bellingcat, stated that when he went to
the presidential offices for final approval for the operation, he was told by
Yermak to postpone the operation by a week.

James Hydzik: The Wagnergate scandal has been simmering for over a year, and it
seemed that the allegations made by Bellingcat had raised the temperature a
little. However, Sokolova’s publication of the documents has permanently
changed the affair. The office of the president is beyond the point of damage
control now, and will have to take serious steps if it is to regain public
trust in security matters. However, this is unlikely, as a witch-hunt for the
person who leaked the documents has started and the government has already
begun attacking the publication (though not denying their authenticity).