Two top ministers resigned — Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk — after a 15-month NABU and SAPO probe, code-named "Midas," alleged a $100 million kickback and money-laundering scheme at state nuclear operator Energoatom. Investigators say a high-level criminal network took 10–15% of contract values, ran a Kyiv "laundry" linked to the family of Andrii Derkach, and laundered funds through non-resident companies. Five people have been detained and seven are under suspicion; the government has proposed sanctions on Timur Mindich and Alexander Tsukerman. President Zelenskyy backed the probe and pledged sanctions, while officials warned the scandal could harm domestic unity and international support amid Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Top Zelensky Officials Resign After Probe Uncovers Alleged $100M Kickback Scheme at Energoatom
Two top ministers resigned — Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk — after a 15-month NABU and SAPO probe, code-named "Midas," alleged a $100 million kickback and money-laundering scheme at state nuclear operator Energoatom. Investigators say a high-level criminal network took 10–15% of contract values, ran a Kyiv "laundry" linked to the family of Andrii Derkach, and laundered funds through non-resident companies. Five people have been detained and seven are under suspicion; the government has proposed sanctions on Timur Mindich and Alexander Tsukerman. President Zelenskyy backed the probe and pledged sanctions, while officials warned the scandal could harm domestic unity and international support amid Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Two senior ministers step down amid widening Energoatom corruption probe
Two senior officials in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government submitted their resignations on Wednesday as a 15-month anti-corruption investigation into state nuclear operator Energoatom revealed an alleged $100 million kickback scheme.
Who resigned
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on X that Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk offered their resignations. The government also suspended several senior Energoatom executives while investigators continue their work.
Details of the investigation
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said they led a 15-month inquiry code-named "Midas," which uncovered what they described as a "large-scale corruption scheme to influence strategic state-owned enterprises." According to the agencies, a "high-level criminal organisation" systematically extracted illicit benefits from Energoatom contractors—amounting to roughly 10–15% of contract values.
Investigators say the group operated a Kyiv-based "laundry" office, reportedly located in premises owned by the family of former Ukrainian lawmaker and current Russian senator Andrii Derkach. NABU and SAPO say the office kept "black accounting" records and laundered approximately $100 million through non-resident companies.
Arrests, suspicions and sanctions
So far, five people have been detained and seven more placed under suspicion, including a former advisor to the energy minister. The cabinet has proposed personal sanctions against Timur Mindich, a former business partner of President Zelenskyy, and businessman Alexander Tsukerman. President Zelenskyy said on X that he supports the investigations and will sign a decree to impose sanctions on two individuals implicated in the case.
Reactions and implications
"Right now it is extremely difficult for everyone in Ukraine — enduring power outages, Russian strikes, and losses. It is absolutely unacceptable that, amid all this, there are also some schemes in the energy sector," Zelenskyy wrote. "Undermining the state means you will be held accountable. Breaking the law means you will be held accountable."
Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker from Zelenskyy’s party, warned that the scandal could be used to undermine internal unity and as an argument by foreign adversaries to reduce aid. His comments stressed the political sensitivity of corruption allegations while Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure that have caused widespread blackouts.
What happens next
The investigation appears to be ongoing. Authorities have suspended officials at Energoatom and are pursuing legal actions against those implicated. The government and anti-corruption bodies say they will continue cooperating to ensure accountability and to protect Ukraine’s strategic energy assets.