Russia spent vast sums paying a network of collaborators before the Ukraine war. Most simply took the money and ran, report says.

Thu, 02/23/2023 - 07:50

Viktor Medvedchuk sits across from Vladimir Putin. — Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) with Ukrainian tycoon and ally Viktor Medvedchuk in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 18, 2019.
Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russia sent masses of cash to pay off officials in Ukraine ahead of the war, the FT reported.
It was part of a plot to install MP Viktor Medvedchuk as Ukraine's leader, but it failed.
Most of the collaborators just vanished or informed Ukrainian authorities of the plan, per the FT.

A carefully constructed network of Ukrainian collaborators, paid to support President Vladimir Putin's invasion, quickly melted away after Russia launched its invasion, according to the Financial Times.