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Two Ukraine Ministers Resign as Energoatom Corruption Probe Expands

Prosecutors allege a Zelensky confidant orchestrated a $100 million scheme uncovered by a 15‑month probe into energy contracts.

Overview

  • Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hryntchuk submitted resignations after Halushchenko was suspended and searched in connection with the case.
  • NABU and SAP say seven suspects have been charged and five detained in the investigation known as Operation Midas, which includes about 1,000 hours of audio recordings.
  • Businessman Tymur Mindich, described by prosecutors as a close associate of President Zelensky, is the main suspect and reportedly left Ukraine shortly before raids.
  • Prosecutors accuse Halushchenko of receiving personal benefits from Mindich in exchange for influence over energy-sector money flows; former defense minister Rustem Umerov acknowledges contacts but denies wrongdoing.
  • The government has removed Energoatom’s supervisory board, courts have ordered pretrial detention for ex-security chief Dmytro Basov, and Germany called for transparent clarification while saying its aid is unaffected for now.