Ukraine is facing one of its biggest political crises since the Russian invasion began, as a sweeping corruption investigation into the country’s state-owned nuclear power company triggers high-level resignations and political turmoil.
According to The Associated Press, a 15-month probe by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies uncovered an elaborate kickback scheme involving officials at Energoatom, the national nuclear energy firm.
Investigators say the network extracted bribes worth roughly $100 million in exchange for favorable business deals, using code names, blackmail, and secret kickbacks from contractors.
The revelations have already claimed the political futures of two of Ukraine’s top officials. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the dismissal of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk, both of whom have now submitted their resignations.
“Among other things, this is a matter of trust,” Zelenskyy said in a video message posted to Telegram.
According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which conducted more than 70 raids and reviewed 1,000 hours of wiretaps, at least five people have been detained and another seven linked to the kickbacks. The suspects allegedly laundered millions through a Kyiv office under what investigators dubbed “Operation Midas.”
Tapes released by NABU—whose authenticity has not been independently verified—suggest that one former deputy prime minister received about $1.2 million in bribes. Another figure implicated in the scandal is businessman Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Zelenskyy and co-owner of his Kvartal 95 media company.
“It looks really bad in the eyes of our European and American partners,” said lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko of Zelenskyy’s party. “While Russians destroy our power grid and people have to endure blackouts, someone at the top was stealing money during the war.”
Energoatom, which generates nearly half of Ukraine’s electricity, said the investigation hasn’t disrupted operations. Still, the timing could not be worse as Russian forces intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts ahead of winter.
Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said sanctions have been proposed against Mindich and another businessman, Alexander Tsukerman, pending further review.
Halushchenko, who previously served as energy minister before taking over the justice portfolio, said he would defend himself in court. “I believe that being suspended for the duration of the investigation is a civilized and proper course of action,” he said.
Political analyst Oleh Saakian said the alleged corruption reached “millions, tens of millions of dollars,” adding that it involves “key players” close to the president. Despite the damage, some see a sign of progress.
“The silver lining in this story is that we have effective and truly independent anti-corruption bodies which have shown concrete results,” Merezhko said. “As it turns out, no one is above the law and no one is immune.”
