Key Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Ally Accused Over $100 Million Corruption Scheme
Ukraine’s government faces a fresh crisis after a $100 million corruption scandal forced two key ministers to resign. President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted the resignations of Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko following a long-running probe into embezzlement in the energy sector.
Anti-corruption agencies accused several officials of taking part in a kickback scheme involving the state nuclear operator, Enerhoatom. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) said the group collected 10–15% in illegal payments from contractors hired to build defenses for Ukraine’s power infrastructure.
Investigators revealed that the operation ran for over a year and involved 1,000 hours of recorded conversations. They published photos showing bags of cash allegedly tied to the scheme. Some of the money was transferred abroad, including to Russia.
Among those named are former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and businessman Timur Mindich, a co-owner of Zelensky’s old TV company Kvartal95. Reports suggest Mindich has left the country. Prosecutors also linked the money trail to an office in Kyiv connected to the family of Andriy Derkach, a former Ukrainian lawmaker now serving as a Russian senator.
Halushchenko denied the charges and said he would defend himself. Grynchuk wrote online that she had broken no laws. But the scandal adds pressure on Zelensky, whose government has pledged to curb corruption while fighting Russia’s invasion.
The investigation comes as Russian forces continue attacking Ukraine’s power grid. The controversy may also strain Kyiv’s relationship with European allies, who made anti-corruption progress a condition for EU membership talks.
In July, protests erupted when Zelensky’s government appeared to restrict Nabu and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap). Public outrage forced him to reverse the decision. That episode already raised doubts about his reform commitment.
Now, as new evidence surfaces daily, the latest scandal threatens to further test Zelensky’s credibility and Ukraine’s fight against corruption.
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