I have to wonder if this is a 21st Century implementation of the "Night of the Long Knives". I see this as the modern alternative to actual long knives, and everybody's primed to buy the narrative. And you can't just stage a bunch of helicopter crashes--way too expensive.

I suspect there were a number of these Ukrainians, corrupt as they may be, who were feeling a little anxious about fighting to the last drop of Ukrainian blood. It's difficult for me to believe Big Z & Co. have any interest whatsoever in cleaning up corruption, especially in a country that may not exist in a few months.

Now that these weak sisters are out of the way, the real men can get back to the legendary grift--excuse me!--"big business" opportunities. Oh, and "winning the war", I guess.