Overview
- Anti-corruption agencies say their 15-month Operation Midas uncovered roughly $100 million in illicit flows tied to Energoatom contracting, backed by more than 70 raids, piles of seized cash and documents, and over 1,000 hours of wiretaps.
- Investigators report seven people have been charged and five detained, alleging 10–15 percent kickbacks on Energoatom deals that included fortifications to protect energy facilities.
- Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk resigned after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for their removal, and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko ordered audits of all state-owned companies as Zelenskyy signaled a reset at Energoatom.
- Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on alleged ringleader Timur Mindich and associate Oleksandr Tsukerman after Mindich reportedly left Ukraine before searches; prosecutors referenced a recording involving the president, who is not under investigation.
- EU partners demanded concrete safeguards and greater transparency yet kept aid flowing, with the Commission earmarking €6 billion and lenders citing strict procurement controls as Germany weighs additional support.