Corruption Scandal and Court Battles Put Zelensky’s Leadership on the Line

Corruption scandal and court battles test Zelensky’s leadership

A major corruption scandal and growing accusations that the presidential office is using the courts to intimidate critics have shaken Kyiv, presenting a serious challenge to President Volodymyr Zelensky nearly four years into Russia's full-scale invasion.

Justice Minister German Galushchenko, a former energy minister, was suspended after his name surfaced in an investigation linked to one of Zelensky's closest associates, accused of engineering a reported 100 million dollar kickback scheme in the power sector. Galushchenko denies wrongdoing, but the allegations have fuelled public anger as Ukraine's electricity grid faces repeated Russian strikes ahead of winter.

The controversy comes at a sensitive moment for Zelensky, who remains broadly popular but must balance wartime centralisation of authority with the democratic reforms demanded by the European Union. Observers warn that perceived interference in the judiciary could jeopardise public trust and Kyiv's EU accession prospects.

Key cases and reactions

Last month the arrest of Volodymyr Kudrytsky, former head of the state grid operator Ukrenergo, on embezzlement charges prompted accusations that the prosecution is retaliation for his criticism of Ukraine's energy-defence strategy. Kudrytsky, released on bail, said the case is political and alleged involvement by the presidential office in his prosecution.

“It couldn't happen without the involvement of the presidential office,” Kudrytsky told AFP, saying the move was intended to deter public criticism on sensitive matters.

Supporters of Kudrytsky, including business ombudsman Roman Waschuk and opposition figures, say the evidence looks thin and warn against criminalising routine corporate decisions. Opposition lawmaker Inna Sovsun described the pattern as a broader tactic to silence dissent.

Alongside these court actions, allegations involving Timur Mindich, co-owner of the production company founded by the president, have intensified concerns about concentration of influence during wartime. Earlier this year the presidential office moved to limit the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), moves critics say weaken anti-corruption checks.

Wider implications

Activists and EU monitors warn that long-standing vulnerabilities in governance, the judiciary and prosecutorial services remain unresolved and that the current disputes risk undermining anti-corruption institutions. High-profile legal actions against political figures such as former president Petro Poroshenko and the stripping of Odesa mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov's citizenship have also drawn accusations of politicisation.

Internal pressure on NABU has risen after the detention of investigators and searches of staff homes. NABU head Semen Kryvonos acknowledged fear among some staff but said most remain motivated. Daria Kaleniuk, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, warned that the coming days will reveal whether Zelensky will protect his inner circle or allow independent probes to proceed.

What to watch: outcomes of the Galushchenko suspension and the Kudrytsky case, any further moves affecting NABU and SAPO independence, and how Brussels responds to perceived backsliding on rule-of-law reforms.