President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed three-year "personal special economic" sanctions and an asset freeze on former partner Timur Mindich amid allegations he led a roughly $100 million kickback scheme tied to Energoatom contracts. NABU has charged eight people and released audio it says shows coded discussions of bribes. Mindich, a former co-owner of Kvartal 95, reportedly fled to Israel and has not commented. The scandal prompted the resignation of two ministers and the suspension of Energoatom officials as reforms are pledged.
Zelensky Sanctions Former Partner Timur Mindich Over Alleged $100M Energy Graft
Zelensky Sanctions Former Business Partner in Major Energy Corruption Probe
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday announced personal special economic sanctions against his one-time business associate, 46-year-old Timur Mindich, over allegations he led a roughly $100 million corruption scheme in the country's energy sector.
A presidential decree placed Mindich under sanctions in absentia and ordered an immediate freeze on his assets. Ukrainian authorities say Mindich reportedly fled to Israel on Monday.
Prosecutors allege Mindich headed a racket in which companies bidding for contracts at Energoatom, the state-run nuclear operator, paid kickbacks amounting to roughly 10–15% of contract values. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) searched Mindich's Kyiv residence and has charged him with leading a criminal organization that used a secret office to launder millions in public funds.
Mindich was a co-owner of Kvartal 95, the television production company founded by Zelensky before he became president in 2019. Mindich has not issued a public comment on the charges.
Businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman was also sanctioned and charged; the presidential decree says both men hold Israeli citizenship. The measures are set to remain in force for three years. NABU has charged a total of eight people in the probe with bribery, abuse of office and illicit enrichment, and released audio recordings in which suspects allegedly use code names and guarded language to discuss kickbacks and bribes tied to Energoatom contracts.
Political fallout and company oversight
The announcement followed Zelensky's request for two senior cabinet members to resign amid links to the investigation. Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk stepped down after being implicated. NABU says an audio recording identified Halushchenko either as the "energy minister" or by the codename "Professor." Hrynchuk has denied wrongdoing and rejected the allegations that she was involved.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Energoatom Vice President and Management Board member Jacob Hartmut has been suspended based on NABU evidence, and the company's supervisory board has been dismissed. Svyrydenko pledged management reforms and stronger oversight.
"Right now, things are extremely difficult for everyone in Ukraine — enduring power outages, Russian strikes, and losses," President Zelensky said. "It is absolutely unacceptable that, on top of this, there are still some [corruption] schemes in the energy sector."
The investigation and sanctions underscore Kyiv's stated intent to tackle corruption in a sector crucial to national security and civilian infrastructure during wartime. Further legal proceedings are expected as the case moves through Ukraine's judicial system.
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