Zelensky's close ally charged amid large-scale energy corruption probe

Timur Mindich, one of President Volodymyr Zelensky's closest associates, was among the seven people charged as part of a major corruption probe, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced on Nov. 11.

state-owned enterprises," including Energoatom, Ukraine's state-owned nuclear energy agency.

According to the Kyiv Independent sources in law enforcement, the NABU conducted searches in Kyiv in premises connected to Mindich on Nov. 10, but he was tipped off and had fled before the searches took place.

Zelensky responded to the scandal with a veiled comment, praising the Anti-Corruption Bureau's efforts against corruption.

"Any effective actions against corruption are very needed. The inevitability of punishment is necessary," he said in his evening address, without naming Mindich or others involved.

Mindich is the co-owner of Kvartal 95, a production company founded by the president.

Six other individuals allegedly involved in the scheme have also been charged in the same case, while five have been detained, according to the agency.

Mindich remains at large.

Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who was Energy Minister from 2021 to 2025, was also searched, according to Kyiv Independent sources.

"Everyone who created schemes must receive a clear procedural response. There must be verdicts. And government officials must work together with NABU, together with law enforcement agencies," Zelensky said.

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

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

UKRAINE - The Kiev Corruption Plot

"In fact, the management of a strategic enterprise with an annual revenue of over Hr 200 billion ($4.7 billion) was carried out not by officials, but by outsiders who had no formal authority," the NABU said in a statement.

Released tapes reveal voices identified as "Roket" and "Tenor" plotting to pressure contractors, the agency said. According to the Kyiv Independent sources, "Roket" is Ihor Myroniuk, former advisor to then-Energy Minister Halushchenko, and "Tenor" is 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 Derkach, who serves as a Russian senator since 2024.

According to the NABU, those involved in the case are believed to have laundered around $100 million, using an office in Kyiv owned by the Derkach family.

The NABU says Myroniuk and Basov effectively "took control of all company purchases." Audio recordings capture "Roket" calling protective structures for energy facilities a "waste of money."

According to the agency, the project involved Hr 4 billion ($95 million) for transformer substation protection. The two discussed that they earned only 90,000 hryvnias or dollars from a prior Hr 3 billion ($71 million) contract and decided to wait for a more profitable deal, while Russia had already begun targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in September.

The tapes published by the NABU also mention "Karlson" and "Professor." According to the Kyiv Independent source in law enforcement, "Karlson" is Mindich, the leader of the criminal group, and "Professor" is Halushchenko.

Amid the growing scandal, Halushcnko's successor, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, said later in the day on Nov. 10 that Energoatom isn't directly controlled by her ministry, according to Ukrinform.

"At the same time, as the ministry responsible for shaping and implementing policy for the entire energy sector, we will look into this case and respond according to the results of the investigation," she added.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko also addressed the investigation. Speaking to Suspilne, she said: "We are awaiting the results of the procedural actions concerning the situation with Energoatom and the prompt notification of the government.

Combating corruption is one of the government's key priorities. There should be sentences and inevitable punishment for any offenses."She added that the Cabinet of Ministers is prepared to assist NABU and SAPO in the investigation.

In recent months, Mindich has been in the spotlight, with NABU looking into the businessman's activity.

According to the Kyiv Independent sources in law enforcement, the investigation into Mindich was allegedly one of the factors that led to an attempt by the authorities to eliminate the Anti-Corruption Bureau's independence back in July.

Mindich was looked into, among other people, in connections to drone producer Fire Point, sources previously told the Kyiv Independent, citing a NABU investigation into the company. Fire Point has denied having any links to Mindich.

The news comes days after Ukrainska Pravda's investigation reported that Zelensky's former business partner has significantly increased his clout in recent years.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, Mindich also allegedly influences the banking industry, specifically through the nationalized Sense Bank. The bank did not respond to a request for comment.

Another industry where Mindich allegedly has interests is energy.

In June, the NABU reportedly arrested his relative Leonid Mindich when he was trying to flee abroad. He was charged with embezzling $16 million from the electric power company Kharkivoblenergo.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.