Zelensky Faces Deepening Crisis as $100 Million Corruption Scandal Engulfs Inner Circle. A $100 Million Energoatom Scandal Draws Zelensky’s Closest Ally Into Corruption Probe.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has uncovered a sprawling corruption network tied to Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear power company, involving an alleged $100 million kickback scheme and money laundering. At the center of the scandal is Timur Mindich, a former business partner of President Volodymyr Zelensky and co-owner (along with Zelensky) of the Kvartal 95 production company. www.ndtv.com
According to investigators, Mindich — alongside other officials — allegedly forced contractors to pay bribes of 10-15% to secure Energoatom contracts. NABU says his network laundered the money through a back office in Kyiv, and that the operation benefited from his political connections. The scheme reportedly involved top-level officials, including German Galushchenko, a former energy minister who later became justice minister.
Following the revelations, Zelensky imposed sanctions on Mindich and Oleksandr Tsukerman, another figure implicated in the probe. Prosecutors have filed charges against eight individuals, including abuse of office and illicit enrichment. Justice and energy ministers have resigned in the wake of the fallout.
Zelensky responded by calling for a sweeping overhaul of the energy sector. He has demanded full cooperation from investigative bodies and pledged to reform Energoatom’s governance structures. The scandal — dubbed “Operation Midas” by authorities — comes as Ukraine is already under immense pressure from war, and raises serious questions about governance and credibility at a time when international support depends on Kyiv’s reform track.
