Corruption investigation revealed a link between the defense company Fire Point and Tymur Mindich, a figure in the notorious energy corruption case

As Ukraine’s $100 million corruption scandal develops, new court hearings are uncovering fresh details linking the case to one of the country’s leading defense firms, Fire Point.

At a November 13 hearing, prosecutors revealed that Ihor Fursenko — accused of laundering money from state energy contracts — had been officially employed at Fire Point, Ukraine’s major missile and drone manufacturer, to avoid military mobilization and travel restrictions.

Investigators allege that Fursenko was part of a network led by businessman Tymur Mindich, a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky, which took kickbacks from energy projects and laundered the profits. Several senior government figures are under investigation.

Fire Point, known for producing FP-1 long-range drones and the “Flamingo” cruise missile, has previously denied any connection to Mindich. However, during the hearing, prosecutors cited evidence suggesting Fursenko had been listed as an administrator at the company since March 2025 and used this employment to travel abroad 26 times during martial law, when most Ukrainian men are barred from leaving the country.

Recordings presented in court captured Fursenko discussing his job status and salary arrangements with another suspect, businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman, who assured him that the company would cover his taxes.

Prosecutors say the arrangement allowed Fursenko to move freely while participating in the alleged corruption network tied to both Ukraine’s energy and defense sectors.

Russia is holding abducted Ukrainian children at about 400 sites

Ukraine has identified roughly 400 locations in Russia where about 19,500 abducted Ukrainian children are being held, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

According to Zelensky, more than 1,600 children have been returned since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“By our estimates, there are about 19,500 abducted children in Russia,” he said. “We must focus on how to find them. It is very difficult. We are working with different intelligence services.”

Zelensky added that Ukrainian authorities continue to locate more places where abducted children are held, calling the effort “a long and difficult path.”

Russia hit Ukraine with 138 drones and ballistic missiles, reaching 10 locations

During the night of Nov. 12–13, Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine using one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 138 strike drones, including about 90 Shaheds, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

By 10:30 a.m., Ukrainian air defenses had shot down or jammed 102 drones over the country’s north, east, and south.

Despite the defenses, 36 drones struck targets in 10 locations. The attack was countered by Ukrainian fighter jets, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, and mobile fire groups.

Ukraine confirms use of Flamingo missiles in strikes on Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, and targets inside Russia

Ukraine launched a wave of long-range strikes on Russian military sites in occupied Crimea, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and inside Russia overnight on November 13, the General Staff reported.

The attacks, involving several domestically made long-range weapons, targeted "several dozen" military, logistical, and economic facilities. According to the report, Ukraine used a mix of attack drones, loitering munitions, and missiles, including the Flamingo, Bars, and Liutyi systems.

The Flamingo, described by President Zelensky as Ukraine’s “most successful” missile, reportedly has a 3,000-kilometer range and a 1,150-kilogram warhead.

In Crimea, Ukrainian strikes hit an oil storage terminal, a helicopter parking area, drone preparation sites at the Kirovske airfield, and an air-defense radar near Yevpatoriya. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, targets included an oil depot near Berdyansk and Russian command posts.

The General Staff said Ukrainian weapons also struck several locations inside Russia, with the extent of the damage still being verified.