Investigation Uncovers Alleged $100 Million Kickback Scheme

KYIV, UKRAINE – Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) announced on Monday, November 10, 2025, that it is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the country's critical energy sector. The probe, codenamed "Operation Midas," has uncovered an alleged large-scale corruption scheme involving Ukraine's state-run nuclear power operator, Energoatom, which is responsible for the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. At the heart of the allegations is a "high-level criminal organization" accused of extorting kickbacks from Energoatom's contractors, according to a statement from NABU. Investigators claim that suppliers were forced to pay between 10% and 15% of their contract values to prevent payment blockages or the loss of their supplier status. The anti-graft agency stated that a total of approximately $100 million was funneled through a money-laundering operation connected to the scheme.

President's Associate Implicated, Flees Country

Ukrainian media have identified a key figure in the investigation as Timur Mindich, a prominent businessman and a long-time associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mindich is a co-owner of Kvartal 95, the television production company founded by Zelenskyy before he entered politics. According to multiple reports citing law enforcement sources, Mindich fled Ukraine just hours before NABU detectives arrived to search his Kyiv residence on Monday morning, November 10. His current whereabouts are unconfirmed. The investigation also reportedly involves searches at the home of Herman Halushchenko, the current Justice Minister who previously served as the Minister of Energy. In a public statement on Monday evening, President Zelenskyy voiced support for anti-corruption measures, stating that "all and any steps against corruption are very necessary" and that "verdicts must be issued," though he did not mention Mindich by name.

A 'Shadow Management' System

The investigation, a joint effort with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), has been underway for 15 months and has involved over 70 searches and the collection of more than 1,000 hours of audio recordings. NABU alleges that the scheme created a system where Energoatom, a strategic state enterprise with an annual revenue exceeding $4.7 billion, was not managed by its official executives but by external "overseers" or "shadow managers" with no formal authority. These individuals allegedly controlled personnel appointments, procurement processes, and financial flows within the company. Energoatom has confirmed that searches were conducted at its offices and stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Global Significance and Kenyan Context

While the investigation has no direct ties to Kenya or East Africa, its implications are globally significant. For Kenya, which has its own long-standing battle with corruption and is developing its own nuclear power ambitions, the case serves as a critical cautionary tale. It highlights the immense challenge of safeguarding strategic national assets and ensuring transparency, especially in sectors vital for national security and economic stability. The probe underscores the importance of independent and empowered anti-corruption bodies, a subject of continuous debate in Kenya. The international community, which has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid since Russia's full-scale invasion, is watching closely. Eradicating graft is a key condition for Ukraine's potential accession to the European Union. The scandal also comes at a perilous time for Ukraine, as its energy infrastructure remains a primary target of Russian military attacks ahead of winter, making the integrity of its energy sector more crucial than ever. The case highlights the persistent tension between Ukraine's political establishment and its independent anti-corruption institutions. In July 2025, President Zelenskyy's administration supported a bill that weakened the powers of NABU, only to reverse the decision following significant public protests and concern from Western allies. This investigation is seen by some observers as a major test of the restored independence of these anti-graft bodies.