Ex-Energy Minister Detained in Ukraine Corruption Probe
Arrest ties to Operation Midas alleging about $100 million embezzled from Energoatom, with contractors forced to pay 10–15% kickbacks.
Overview
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau said its detectives detained former energy minister German Galushchenko while he was crossing the state border as part of the 'Midas' case.
Operation Midas, investigators said, is a 15-month probe that alleges about $100 million was embezzled from the energy sector, including state nuclear operator Energoatom.
NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office said they carried out mass searches, accused suspects of laundering funds and published images of cash, and alleged the money was transferred outside Ukraine including to Russia.
The scandal has prompted multiple resignations, with Galushchenko resigning in November and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak also stepping down after a home search, investigators said.
NABU said initial investigative actions are ongoing and reports said Galushchenko was being transported to Kyiv for further questioning.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as an anti-corruption development that underscores political pressure on Zelensky, prioritizing institutional allegations and investigative detail. They highlight Nabu’s claims (bags of cash, Energoatom kickbacks) and operational fallout (resignations, arrests) while giving only brief note of denials, producing an accountability-focused narrative.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Operation Midas is a 15-month probe by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau alleging about $100 million embezzled from the energy sector, including Energoatom, through kickbacks of 10-15% and money laundering to countries like Russia.
German Galushchenko, also known as Herman Halushchenko or Halushchenko, is a former Ukrainian Energy Minister (2021-2025) and later Justice Minister, with prior roles at Energoatom and extensive legal experience in energy and international law.
Allegations include embezzlement of roughly $100 million from state energy operations like Energoatom via inflated contracts, 10-15% kickbacks from contractors, money laundering, and transferring funds abroad including to Russia.
The scandal prompted resignations including former Energy Minister German Galushchenko in November, Justice Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, and President Zelenskyy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak after a home search.
History
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