Podcast Summary
The Story of Ukraine's Gangster Governor and Collaborators: Russia's occupation of Ukraine relies on collaborators like Vladimir Saldo, who use charm, business interests, and loyalty to facilitate the occupation
While the world focuses on the heroism and sacrifice during times of war, there's another side to the story - that of collaborators. These individuals, like Vladimir Saldo, may not carry a gun or engage in direct combat, but they play a crucial role in making the occupation possible. Saldo's story began long before the war in Ukraine. He was a man who could be bought, a man with charisma and charm that carried him far. Despite his gaunt and skeletal appearance, Saldo was known for his singing abilities and his ability to win over crowds. His business interests and money-making ventures led investigative journalist Tom Burgess to follow the thread all the way to the front lines in Ukraine, revealing Putin's tactic of buying loyalty as a powerful weapon in his conquest. This three-part series from The Guardian uncovers the story of Saldo, Ukraine's gangster governor, and the collaborators who make Russia's occupation possible.
A Ukrainian Politician's Rise to Power in a Corrupt System: Successful politician Vitaly Saldo, known as '50%,' rose through Ukraine's corrupt political landscape, amassing wealth and enemies in a region with organized crime and a complex relationship with Russia.
Vitaly Saldo, a successful politician from Kherson, Ukraine, rose to power in a region known for organized crime, corruption, and violence. Saldo's nickname as mayor was "50%," indicating his focus on money. Politics in Ukraine during this time was corrupt, with politicians dispensing patronage for loyalty and taking their cuts to get rich. Saldo excelled in this game and advanced to the National Parliament by 2012. He amassed significant wealth, including property, business interests, and luxury items. However, his riches made him enemies, particularly in a city with a strong organized crime presence and a complex relationship with Russia. Even before the full-scale invasion in 2020, Ukraine had a contentious relationship with Moscow, and Saldo's stance on the issue is unknown. Overall, Saldo's story illustrates the challenges and complexities of politics in Ukraine during this period, where power and wealth often went hand in hand.
Ukrainian politician's use of Russian music and pro-Russian sentiments: Viktor Saldo effectively tapped into nostalgia and pro-Russian sentiments in southern Ukraine using Russian music and pop singers, but Ukraine's political landscape drastically changed in 2014 leading to challenges as it distanced itself from Russia.
Ukrainian politician Viktor Fedorovych Saldo, who rose from being a mayor to an MP, effectively tapped into the nostalgia and pro-Russian sentiments of people in southern Ukraine during his political career. This was evident in his use of Russian music and pop singers at rallies to recreate a certain spirit. However, the political landscape drastically changed in 2014 when President Viktor Yanukovych attempted to pull Ukraine back into Russia's orbit, leading to massive protests and ultimately his ousting. Putin's response was to send troops into Crimea, marking the beginning of a dark period for Ukraine. Despite the initial hope brought about by the revolution, Ukraine faced further challenges as it distanced itself from Russia.
A Career-Ending Mistake: Vladimir Seldo's Unraveling Story: Appearing on Russian TV during a time of crisis can lead to career-ending consequences, and the risks of maintaining influence through business deals and relationships can be outweighed by unexpected challenges.
Vladimir Seldo, a pro-Russian politician in Ukraine, made a career-ending mistake by appearing on Russian TV during a time of crisis, when Russia was threatening Ukraine's sovereignty. After being heavily defeated in an election, Seldo tried to maintain his influence through business deals and relationships. However, his life took an unexpected turn in 2016 when he was allegedly detained against his will in the Dominican Republic by businessmen connected to his son. The circumstances surrounding his detainment are unclear and various versions of the story exist. Despite these challenges, Seldo continued to seek new ways to advance himself. This tale serves as a reminder of the risks and consequences of taking a public stance that goes against the prevailing political sentiment.
Political and business conflicts in Kherson, Ukraine can lead to dangerous situations: Allegations of Russian intelligence involvement and kidnappings escalated a business dispute into a dangerous conflict in Kherson, Ukraine.
The political and business landscape in Kherson, Ukraine, can be ruthless and volatile. Business rivalries can escalate into physical confrontations, kidnappings, and even torture. In the case of Saldo, he was allegedly kidnapped and tortured in the Dominican Republic by his rivals, resulting in him becoming a changed man. The dispute between Saldo and his rivals turned into an information war, with each side releasing damaging information about the other. Saldo was accused of having a relationship with Russian intelligence, which was a major accusation given Ukraine's history of resistance against Russian influence. The authenticity of the recording was questioned, but the accusation added fuel to the already bitter conflict. This incident serves as a reminder of the high stakes and dangerous nature of politics and business in the region.
Ukrainian Businessman's Murder: Middlemen Identified, Mastermind at Large: Investigation into Igor Pashenko's murder led to identification and detention of killers and middleman, but the mastermind, Vladimir Saldo, remains at large.
The investigation into the murder of Igor Pashenko, a businessman involved in a feud with Ukrainian politician Vladimir Saldo, has led to the identification and detention of the killers and the middleman. However, the mastermind behind the hit remains at large, with suspect Vladimir Saldo having allegedly given the instructions to the middleman. The investigation, which took over two years, was complicated by Ukraine's corrupt judicial system and vested interests. The police chief overseeing the case confirmed that Saldo was the prime suspect, and formalities for a prosecution were underway. The murder of Igor Pashenko, involving family ties and alleged political motivations, underscores the complex and dangerous nature of power struggles in Ukraine.
A lengthy investigation into a contract killing involving a high-profile suspect: Despite serious allegations against a former mayor, the investigation into a contract killing is lengthy due to its complexity and the influential status of the suspect, with potential complications from geopolitical events.
The investigation into a contract killing involved a high-profile suspect, a former mayor and national MP, who was under investigation for the crime despite the slow progress of the case. The case was building since November 2020, and the middleman was arrested during that time. However, the proceedings were lengthy and still ongoing in February 2022. The allegations against the former mayor were serious enough for a prosecution, but the investigation was taking its time due to the complexity of the case and the influential status of the suspect. The case gained additional complications with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which changed the political landscape and potentially impacted the investigation. The former mayor, Vladimir Seldo, did not respond to The Guardian's requests for comment on the allegations.
