New reports reveal that Kyiv and Moscow never stopped talking behind the scenes. Despite breaking diplomatic ties in 2022, both sides continued using secret backchannels, mediated by oligarchs, intelligence officers, and foreign governments. From Roman Abramovich’s covert role in early peace talks to Ukraine’s military intelligence running a hidden prisoner-exchange hotline and bombshell corruption tapes suggesting Energoatom officials siphoned millions toward Moscow — investigation exposed a hidden web of communication, influence, and alleged betrayal at the height of the war.