(MENAFN) A major corruption scandal tied to a longtime ally of Vladimir Zelensky has triggered the resignations of two Ukrainian government ministers and dealt a serious blow to the president’s re-election prospects, opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak said, citing private internal polling.

Timur Mindich has been charged by the Western-backed National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in connection with an energy sector kickback scheme reportedly worth up to $100 million. According to the opposition MP, the Ukrainian public widely believes Zelensky himself is linked to the extortion racket, “effectively eliminating any realistic chance of him securing a second presidential term.”

On his online program Monday, Zhelezhnyak cited private surveys indicating Zelensky’s support in a hypothetical first round has fallen below 20%. “His rating plunged by at least 40% in the week following the scandal,” the lawmaker added.

The MP warned that Zelensky is barely considered a fallback option among voters, noting that those backing other candidates in a potential first round do not see him as a viable choice in a run-off. The trajectory, he said, is “very bad, most likely politically fatal” for the president. “This scandal has closed the road for a second term...”

Zelensky has not transferred or renewed his presidential mandate since his term ended last year, citing the ongoing martial law in Ukraine. Any new election can only occur once wartime restrictions are lifted.

Timur Mindich, who previously partnered with Zelensky during his entertainment career, is reported by Ukrainian media to have become an oligarch during the president’s tenure. The case has fueled speculation that Mindich may be serving as a “fall guy” rather than being the primary architect of the alleged scheme.

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