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EU Presses Ukraine After $100 Million Energoatom Graft Probe Triggers Ministerial Shake-Up

European partners are pressing Kyiv for concrete anti-corruption safeguards.

Overview

  • Ukraine’s NABU and SAP say Operation Midas uncovered a 10–15% kickback network tied to Energoatom contracts, with about $100 million traced through 70 raids and more than 1,000 hours of wiretaps.
  • Seven suspects have been charged and five are in custody, with investigators alleging film producer and Kvartal 95 co-owner Timur Mindich led the scheme before leaving the country shortly ahead of the raids.
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky called for and received the resignations of the justice and energy ministers and, according to EU-focused reporting, imposed sanctions on his former business partner linked to the case.
  • EU officials seek assurances on spending controls and transparency, yet support continues with new assistance confirmed at the European level and additional backing discussed by individual member states.
  • Zelensky signaled a management overhaul at Energoatom, while anti-graft bodies also pursue a separate inquiry into military procurement kickbacks that allegedly steered funds to officials through overpriced, low-quality gear.