Major corruption scandal engulfs top Zelensky allies

Ukraine’s Energy and Justice ministers have resigned following a major corruption investigation implicating close associates of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Zelensky called for the resignation of Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko on Wednesday, after anti-corruption authorities accused several officials of orchestrating a massive embezzlement scheme at the state nuclear operator, Enerhoatom.

Authorities allege Halushchenko and other senior officials received payments from contractors building fortifications against Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Figures close to Zelensky, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and Timur Mindich, co-owner of Zelensky’s former TV studio Kvartal95, were also implicated. Mindich is reportedly now abroad.

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) said the 15-month investigation, based on over 1,000 hours of audio recordings, uncovered the involvement of four government members. Approximately $100 million was allegedly laundered, with some funds transferred outside Ukraine, including to Russia.

The scandal emerges amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities and raises renewed concerns over endemic corruption, despite ten years of NABU and SAP operations.