Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdog probes large-scale energy sector scheme

Ukraine has launched a major investigation into alleged large-scale corruption in the country's energy sector, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced.

"The activities of a high-level criminal organisation have been documented," the agency said in a statement on Monday.

According to the NABU, which is conducting the probe in cooperation with the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), the group involved "set up a major corruption scheme to control key state-owned enterprises," including Energoatom, Ukraine's state-owned nuclear energy agency.

The anti-corruption bureau reported that the group was collecting bribes from Energoatom contractors, amounting to 10-15% of each contract's value.

"In fact, the management of a strategic enterprise with an annual revenue of over €4 billion was carried out not by officials, but by outsiders who had no formal authority," the NABU said in a statement.

A 15-month investigation and 1,000 hours of wiretapping resulted in 70 raids, according to the agency.

Released tapes allegedly reveal the voices of Ihor Myroniuk, former advisor to then-Energy Minister Halushchenko, and Dmytro Basov, former prosecutor and ex-head of Energoatom's physical security department.

Previously, Myroniuk also served as an aide to fugitive Ukrainian ex-lawmaker Andrii Deerkach, who has served as a Russian senator since 2024.

The NABU says Myroniuk and Basov effectively "took control of all company purchases".

One of the individuals allegedly involved in the case was identified as Timur Mindich, a former business partner of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Who is Timur Mindich?

Mindich is the co-owner of Kvartal 95, a production company founded and formerly part-owned by the president of Ukraine.

After being elected president in 2019, Zelenskyy transferred his stake in the company to other partners.

In 2021 the president reportedly celebrated his birthday in Mindich’s apartment, according to Ukrainian investigative journalists.

A film producer with vast business interests in a variety of sectors, Mindich has allegedly expanded his business and political influence over the past few years.

The tapes released by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau reportedly include the voices of Mindich, believed to be the group's leader, and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko.

Halushchenko previously served as energy minister from 2021 until July of this year.

According to Ukrainian media outlets, on Monday, NABU conducted searches in Kyiv in premises connected to Mindich and Halushchenko.

Kyiv’s response

Zelenskyy responded to the investigation in his evening address on Monday, praising the NABU’s fight against corruption.

"Any effective actions against corruption are urgently needed. The inevitability of punishment is necessary," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelenskyy pointed out that Energoatom currently “provides the largest share of energy generation in Ukraine.”

“Integrity within the company is a priority. In the energy sector, every industry and everyone who has been involved in corruption schemes must face clear legal consequences and convictions must be handed down,” he stated.

“Government officials must work together with NABU, working together as necessary to achieve results.”

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said her cabinet is prepared to assist NABU and SAPO in the investigation.

"We are awaiting the results of the procedural actions concerning the situation with Energoatom and the prompt notification of the government," Svyrydenko stated.

"Combating corruption is one of the government's key priorities. There should be sentences and inevitable punishment for any offences."