EditUkraine acts fast to contain $100M Energoatom graft fallout
As winter blackouts loom and Russian missiles target the grid, any perception of impunity risks donor fatigue and domestic fury
Ukraine’s government and judiciary launched a rapid response to the $100 million Energoatom embezzlement scandal exposed by NABU’s Operation Midas, with the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court debating pre-trial detention for a key suspect, the Cabinet dissolving Energoatom’s supervisory board, and prosecutors probing a potential leak that allowed prime suspect Timur Mindich to flee.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court weighed a preventive measure for Ihor Myronyuk (codenamed “Rocket”), former advisor to ex-Energy Minister and current Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko. Prosecutors accused Myronyuk of orchestrating the laundering scheme, recruiting businessmen Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Tsukerman, and exerting such control over Energoatom that he could send then-president Petro Kotin abroad. They demanded custody plus UAH 136.6 million bail, citing flight risk: Myronyuk’s wife and child live abroad, and he owns 20 luxury villas under construction in Mauritius.
Defence lawyers countered that Myronyuk was merely a private consultant, not an official advisor, and that poor health bars detention. After a break, the hearing resumed late Tuesday; a ruling is expected imminently.
Prosecutors confirmed that Galushchenko, former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, and fugitive businessman Mindich are formal suspects. The Ministry of Justice conducted searches at Galushchenko’s office on Monday; he declined comment until proceedings end. Mindich, who fled hours before NABU raided his apartment on 10 November, reportedly influenced even ex-Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on bulletproof-vest contracts later cancelled.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced an immediate reset of Energoatom: the supervisory board – selected in 2023 via international competition – was dissolved for failing to prevent the scandal. A new board, to be proposed within a week with input from international partners, must appoint fresh management, conduct a full audit, and cooperate fully with investigators. The State Audit Service will urgently review all procurement. Economist Tymofiy Milovanov, who resigned from the old board after his reform proposals were ignored, welcomed the move.
Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk distanced herself and Galushchenko from Myronyuk, insisting neither ever employed him officially and that Energoatom operates independently of the ministry.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Office reiterated demands for “inevitable punishment”, while Energoatom pledged full transparency.
Separately, SAPO chief Oleksandr Klymenko launched an internal probe after reports that first deputy Andriy Synyuk held “confidential meetings” before Mindich’s escape. Synyuk denied leaking data or having access to the Energoatom file.
Former President Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity party has launched a parliamentary bid to oust Ukraine’s government, branding it “unprofessional and corrupt” in the wake of the graft scandal.
Poroshenko’s party demands Ukrainian government resignation amid explosive graft scandal
With Mindich reportedly in Israel or Austria, the scandal now tests Ukraine’s wartime anti-corruption resolve at the highest levels.
Ukraine will introduce power outage schedules for residential consumers and industry on 12 November. The reason for the introduction of the schedules is Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
As winter blackouts loom and Russian missiles target the grid, any perception of impunity risks donor fatigue and domestic fury.
Caption: Ihor Myronyuk with his lawyer during a court hearing on 11 November 2025. [Suspilne]
Updated: November 12, 2025 - 07:05
