Overview
- Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court ordered former deputy prime minister Oleksii Chernyshov held for up to 60 days and set bail at UAH 51.6 million, with travel limits and electronic monitoring if bail is posted.
- NABU and SAPO say Operation Midas uncovered a $100 million kickback network tied to Energoatom contracts, and released tapes documenting $1.2 million and €100,000 allegedly delivered to Chernyshov.
- Investigators report detaining five of seven suspects, while two remain at large, including alleged ringleader Timur Mindich, who left Ukraine and is reported to be in Israel.
- Political fallout escalated as opposition MPs blocked a parliamentary vote to dismiss two energy officials; both deny wrongdoing, and Zelensky has backed their removal and ordered audits at state energy firms.
- Pressure intensified on Zelensky to dismiss chief of staff Andriy Yermak, with some Servant of the People lawmakers calling for his resignation as NABU declined to confirm claims linking an “Ali Baba” on tapes to him.