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Zelensky Sanctions Ex-Associate Mindich After Prosecutors Detail Defense Influence

The step comes after reports he fled Ukraine following a suspected tip-off.

Overview

  • A presidential decree freezes Timur Mindich’s assets and bars him from public procurement in response to an anti-corruption probe.
  • NABU and SAPO allege Mindich ran an energy kickback scheme worth about €86 million, taking 10–15% on contracts under operation “Midas.”
  • In court, a SAPO prosecutor said Mindich wielded influence over Energy Minister German Galushchenko and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov; Umerov denied improper influence but acknowledged a meeting about body armor that ended with the contract canceled.
  • Investigators linked the network to defense deals through Energoatom security chief Ihor Fursenko, who also held a role at defense contractor Fire Point, with a court ordering his pretrial detention.
  • Media reports say Mindich left Ukraine on November 10 and may be in Israel, as authorities probe a suspected leak that Ukrainian outlets have tied to a senior anti-corruption prosecutor.