In the summer of 2024, Ukraine’s National Anti -Corruption Bureau (NABU) launched an investigation into a corruption scheme in the energy sector, particularly at the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom.
The final stage of Operation “Midas” began on the morning of November 10 with 70 searches at the homes and offices of high -ranking officials. The entire NABU staff was involved, said Alexander Abakumov, who leads the NABU detective unit that uncovered the alleged embezzlement scheme at Energoatom. A video statement by Abakumov was published on NABU’s YouTube channel. He said investigators had obtained thousands of hours of audio recordings that document the activities of a high -level criminal organization operating in the energy and defense sectors.
On November 11, NABU said five people had been detained in the case, and seven alleged members of the criminal organization had been notified of suspicion. Raids also took place involving the justice minister and former energy minister Herman Halushchenko. Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice confirmed that investigative actions involving Halushchenko were conducted as part of criminal proceedings. In an official statement, the ministry said the minister is fully cooperating with law enforcement to ensure a comprehensive, objective and impartial investigation. At an emergency meeting on the morning of November 12, the government suspended Halushchenko from his position as justice minister.
According to investigators, the alleged perpetrators demanded kickbacks of 10% to 15% of Energoatom contract values. Contractors allegedly had to pay to avoid blocked payments for services rendered or goods delivered, or to avoid losing supplier status. The practice became known as the “shlagbaum,” or “barrier.”
“Effectively, a system was created in which a strategic enterprise with revenues of more than 200 billion hryvnias was run not by top managers, the supervisory board, or the state as owner, but by an outsider who, without authority, assumed the role of a shadow manager,” NABU said in an official statement.
Abakumov said the group included a former adviser to the energy minister, Energoatom’s executive director for physical protection and security, four back -office employees involved in laundering funds, and a businessman whom investigators believe headed the criminal group.
Investigators have not publicly named suspects, instead using operational codenames. NABU materials and wiretap transcripts refer to “Tenor” - Energoatom’s executive director for physical protection and security; “Rocket” - a former deputy head of the State Property Fund and adviser to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko; and “Carlson,” who allegedly led the group.
Abakumov later told Ukrainska Pravda’s “UP.Chat” program that the nicknames were chosen by the alleged members themselves, not by NABU. Using connections at the ministry and the state company, they controlled personnel appointments, procurement and cash flows, he said.
NABU says “Carlson” controlled a so -called “laundromat” where illicit proceeds were washed. From rooms on the upper floors of a building on Hrushevskoho Street in Kyiv, “Carlson” allegedly decided who would receive cash and how much, ordered transfers, and coordinated influence over central government officials to resolve matters in his own interests — notably in the energy and defense sectors.
“In conversations recorded by detectives, he directs financial flows, discusses securing military draft exemptions for trusted associates through sham employment, issues instructions on ‘security,’ and shows awareness of possible attention from NABU,” the bureau said on its Telegram channel.
Ukrainian media reported that on November 10, NABU searched the home of Tymur Mindich — a businessman and co -owner of Kvartal 95 Studio, an ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to a Ukrainska Pravda source, Mindich left Ukraine several hours before the search. Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a lawmaker from the Holos (Voice) faction, claims “Carlson,” heard on NABU’s audio recordings, is Tymur Mindich.
On “UP.Chat,” Abakumov also said detectives documented four Ukrainian ministers in various contexts over the course of the probe. He emphasized they served in different periods: “Some served earlier, some later — not all four are current ministers,” he said.
According to Abakumov, NABU and the Specialized Anti -Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) seized more than $4 million during searches. He said bundles of foreign currency had markings that appeared to be standard U.S. Federal Reserve Bank packaging. “This indicates the money was transferred from the U.S. to someone — possibly a bank in Europe or anywhere else. Then it came to Ukraine in that form, or it was disbursed in Europe and brought here,” Abakumov said. Because barcode administration in the global banking system is imperfect, it is difficult to determine the exact origin of the currency bundles, he added.
Energoatom’s supervisory board said it takes the corruption allegations extremely seriously and promised to convene a special meeting to fully assess the situation and determine next steps. However, amid the scandal, on November 11 the government terminated the powers of Energoatom’s supervisory board.
Energoatom, meanwhile, said the corruption scandal did not harm its assets or financial condition and did not affect production plans or nuclear plant safety. “Our top priority remains the reliable, stable and safe operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, ensuring the country’s energy security,” the company said in an official statement.
In response to the exposure of a large -scale corruption scheme at Energoatom, President Volodymyr Zelensky said transparency at the energy company is a priority and all those involved must be held accountable.
“Any effective actions against corruption are badly needed. The inevitability of punishment is needed. Energoatom provides Ukraine with the largest share of power generation. Cleanliness in the company is a priority. Everyone who built schemes must receive a clear procedural response. There must be verdicts,” he said.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko told Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne she is ready to assist NABU and SAPO in the investigation and expects “results of procedural actions.” She added that she demands urgent updates to the government: “Countering corruption is one of the government’s key priorities. There must be verdicts and the inevitability of punishment,” Svyrydenko said. She also announced a government decision to conduct an urgent audit of the company, particularly its procurement.
