Editor’s Note: Sometimes, my scan of thousands of headlines from conservative and alternative news sites fails me. That’s my excuse for missing this story yesterday about journalist Seymour Hersh’s claim about massive “skimming” of U.S. aid to Ukraine by officials, including the “Hero of Democracy” Volodymyr Zelensky.
Oh, and the CIA apparently knows all about it. Because of course they do. On top of that, Hersh claimed U.S. aid is earmarked for Ukraine to buy diesel fuel… from Russia. This whole drama is like a very bad and deadly soap opera. Here’s Dave DeCamp from Antiwar reporting on it…
Seymour Hersh: the CIA Knows Ukrainian Officials Are Skimming US Aid
On Wednesday, Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report on Substack that alleged the CIA was aware of widespread corruption in Ukraine and the embezzlement of US aid.
The report said the Ukrainian government has been using US taxpayer money to purchase diesel from Russia to fuel its military. Hersh said Zelensky “has been buying the fuel from Russia, the country with which it, and Washington, are at war, and the Ukrainian president and many in his entourage have been skimming untold millions from the American dollars earmarked for diesel fuel payments.”
Hersh said according to one estimate by CIA analysts, at least $400 million in funds were embezzled last year. Sources told Hersh that Ukrainian officials are also “competing” to set up front companies for export contracts to private arms dealers around the world.
The issue of corruption was raised during a meeting between CIA Director William Burns and Zelensky in January. An intelligence official with direct knowledge of the meeting told Hersh that Burns delivered a stunning message to Zelensky.
Hersh wrote: “The senior generals and government officials in Kiev were angry at what they saw as Zelensky’s greed, so Burns told the Ukrainian president, because ‘he was taking a larger share of the skim money than was going to the generals.’”
During the meeting, Burns presented Zelensky with a list of 35 generals and senior government officials whose corruption was known to the CIA. Zelensky responded by dismissing 10 officials who were engaged in flagrant corruption. “The ten he got rid of were brazenly bragging about the money they had—driving around Kiev in their new Mercedes,” the intelligence official said.
Hersh said Zelensky’s “half-hearted response” and the “lack of concern” in the White House angered some US intelligence officials. The intelligence official speaking to Hersh criticized President Biden’s two main foreign policy advisors, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“They have no experience, judgment, and moral integrity. They just tell lies, make up stories. Diplomatic deniability is something else,” the official said. The official said there was a “total breakdown between the White House leadership and the intelligence community.”
The report said the rift started in the fall when the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines were blown up. According to Hersh’s earlier reporting, President Biden ordered the operation that took out the pipelines. “Destroying the Nord Stream pipelines was never discussed, or even known in advance, by the community,” the official said.
The official said there is “no strategy for ending the war” within the Biden administration and offered more scathing criticism of Blinken and Sullivan.
“Burns is not the problem,” the official said. “The problem is Biden and his principal lieutenants—Blinken and Sullivan and their court of worshippers—who see those who criticize Zelensky as being pro-Putin. ‘We are against evil. Ukraine will fight ’til the last military shell is gone, and still fight.’ And here’s Biden who is telling America that we’re going to fight as long as it takes.”
Hersh’s story comes after a series of leaked top-secret documents from the Pentagon and other government agencies surfaced online. Some of the documents show US war planning for Ukraine and reveal the US doubts Kyiv’s ability to launch a successful counter-offensive, offering a starkly different view of Ukraine’s abilities than what Biden officials have been saying publicly.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s uncertain world, where skyrocketing medical costs and bureaucratic red tape threaten the very fabric of the American way of life, protecting your family’s health and financial future has never been more critical. Medical bills remain the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S., with millions of hardworking Americans either uninsured, underinsured, or overburdened by premiums that don’t deliver real value. But what if there was a way to secure top-tier coverage that aligns with your conservative values, saves you money, and gives you peace of mind?
Enter America First Healthcare—a private insurance agency dedicated to empowering freedom-loving patriots like you to reclaim control over your healthcare destiny.
Founded by Jordan Sarmiento, a dynamic entrepreneur and former touring musician who knows firsthand the highs and lows of navigating America’s complex insurance landscape, America First Healthcare stands as a beacon for those who believe in small government, personal responsibility, and the enduring American Dream. Jordan’s own journey underscores the company’s mission: after a harrowing six-day hospital stay that racked up a $95,000 bill, his Conservative Care Coverage through America First Healthcare reduced his out-of-pocket expenses to just $500. This isn’t just insurance—it’s a shield against the financial pitfalls that plague so many families, ensuring you’re prepared for life’s unexpected turns without sacrificing your principles.
At its core, America First Healthcare is about more than policies; it’s about shared values. In an era where “woke” policies and liberal ideologies seem to infiltrate every corner of society, this agency prioritizes serving conservatives who value freedom and self-reliance. They offer a suite of essential services designed to fortify your life, including:
- Health Insurance: Tailored plans that keep your family healthy and ready to thrive, addressing the gaps that leave 41 million Americans vulnerable to preventable chronic diseases and inadequate coverage.
- Life Insurance: Protection that secures your loved ones’ future, ensuring your legacy endures.
- Business Insurance: Safeguards for your enterprise, preserving the income that fuels your independence.
What sets America First Healthcare apart is their commitment to personalization and savings. Start with their complimentary Free Insurance Review, where experts evaluate your current policies to uncover hidden gaps, eliminate over insurance, and potentially slash your costs by up to 20%. Whether you’re among the 27 million uninsured, the 44% underinsured on marketplace plans, or the 33% feeling squeezed by high premiums, their team crafts customized solutions that deliver better coverage at rates that respect your wallet. And with ongoing support from advisors who share your worldview, you’ll never feel alone in the fight for affordable, reliable protection.
Clients rave about the difference America First makes. Families across the nation have switched to better health insurance for less, resting easy knowing they’ve partnered with a company that puts America first. As one satisfied customer might say, it’s not just about policies—it’s about preserving the freedoms that make this country great.
Don’t let liberal overreach or financial uncertainty derail your dreams. Take the first step toward unbreakable security today by visiting for your Free Insurance Review. With America First Healthcare, you’re not just insured—you’re empowered to live the life you deserve. Act now, because your American Dream is worth protecting.
Corruption in Ukraine? I won’t hear such blashphamy.
Indeed! Bah! Zelensky and Co. would never act that way! OOOHHH- my tongue is so tired from pushing on my cheek!
Nothing will come of it. Our government has been totally corrupted. The tumor has to be cut out to save the patient!
Trump’s fault, no doubt.
Of all the foreign aid sent to Ukraine only about 30% of it makes it to the troops and the war effort, this includes money, equipment, and supplies, the rest simply disappears into whoevers pocket controls these funds.
Julian Assange speaking in 2011..
“The goal is to use Afghanistan to wash money out of the tax bases of the US and Europe through Afghanistan and back into the hands of a transnational security elite. The goal is an endless war, not a successful war”
Biden is going to be pissed when he finds out about this. The Big Guy is supposed to get his 10%!
Viti (commenting here earlier) is absolutely correct. Nothing, absolutely nothing, will happen to those that are committing and profiting from this theft from us. Why should we pay taxes? Every single part of the government is corrupt, evil, and determined to rip every shred of liberty from us while solidifying their supreme power. It must stop, and elections (what a joke) are not the answer anymore. We all know that to be true, but if your thoughts are that “every one of us needs to get out and vote” is the solution, you are either braindead or dangerously naive. The only remedy is fighting fire with fire. Over 400 million firearms are possessed by US citizens.
U.S. legislators who support a blank check to Ukraine (and other countries that hate us) are the biggest “skimmers.”
Ever wonder why the U.S. sends so much money to third world s***holes? Ever wonder how pols who come into office broke leave 20 years later as multi-millionaires? There’s your answer. Foreign aid is just a euphemism for Congressional Retirement Fund.
Here in Hawaii, shortly after hearing reports of US taxpayer funds disappearing into the hands of Ukrainians, which somehow ended up being spent on land in Switzerland, we had our neighbor sell her million dollar property to a Ukrainian woman with her daughter, who supposedly were looking forward to living there, but at latest report were off looking for more Hawaii properties to buy. Hmmm. Anybody, like us, wondering what that is about?
Of course there is/was skimming. That’s the only reason we sent the money there in the first place. But I am sure that the amount being reported is missing three zeros.