According to information provided by Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, several former and current government officials, including businessman Timur Mindich, known for his closeness to President Volodymyr Zelensky, are involved in an extensive corruption scheme related to kickbacks in the country's energy sector, reports the BBC.
The rapidly developing scandal could have serious consequences for both the political sphere and society as a whole in Ukraine. This week, the country's anti-corruption agencies announced the exposure of a "high-level criminal organization" operating in the energy sector, which, according to law enforcement, received illegal benefits amounting to tens of millions of dollars.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) reports that four members of the Ukrainian government have been identified as involved in these actions during the investigation. However, the most intriguing fact is that Mindich is considered the head of this criminal group, which could have serious implications for his relationship with President Zelensky.
Additionally, prosecutors at a hearing regarding one of the scheme's participants mentioned that Mindich may also have been involved in illegal activities in the defense sector, influencing former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The authorities' reaction to the information about the investigation, which NABU is gradually revealing, appears to be restrained.
Operation "Midas" and the "Barrier" Scheme
The discovered scheme, reported on November 10, concerned the operations of "Energoatom," the main operator of nuclear power plants in Ukraine, 100% of whose shares are owned by the state. The importance of this enterprise cannot be overstated, as it provides more than half (up to 70% in winter) of Ukraine's energy needs, and its annual revenue exceeds 200 billion hryvnias (4.76 billion dollars).
During a session of the High Anti-Corruption Court held on November 11, the prosecutor stated that Timur Mindich, taking advantage of the military situation in the country and his connections, decided to illegally enrich himself. According to prosecutors, he and his partner Alexander Tsukerman developed a system that allowed them to receive kickbacks from most of the purchases made by "Energoatom."
Anti-corruption agencies explain that the scheme worked as follows: a contractor performed work or supplied goods for "Energoatom," after which they received payment only after paying 10-15% of the contract amount as a "kickback." Refusal to comply with this condition jeopardized payment for the completed work, allowing the perpetrators to exert pressure on suppliers.
This scheme, dubbed "Barrier," allowed the management of the enterprise to be informal, without the involvement of official officials. The legalization of the obtained funds was handled by a separate office of the criminal organization in Kyiv, which, according to law enforcement, was located in a building owned by the family of Andriy Derkach, a fugitive former deputy.
Law enforcement also stated that the laundered money was cashed outside Ukraine, including in Russia.
“Carlson,” “Reshik,” “Tsukerman,” and “Che Guevara”
The investigation of Operation "Midas," which lasted 15 months, gave detectives access to thousands of hours of recorded conversations of the suspects.
Recordings of conversations began to be published by NABU on November 10, the day around 70 searches were conducted, including at the office of "Energoatom" and the home of Herman Halushchenko, who previously held the position of Minister of Energy. The publication of materials continued on November 11 and, apparently, will continue further.
In the recorded conversations, participants, using pseudonyms for secrecy, discuss various aspects of their criminal activities. For example, "Rocket" (former advisor to the Minister of Energy Igor Mironyuk) and "Tenor" (security director of "Energoatom" Dmitry Basov) discuss methods of pressure on contractors who refuse to pay "kickbacks."
Detectives' observations capture mentions of high-profile figures, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who also appears in this case as "Che Guevara." In one of the conversations, Chernyshov discusses how to obtain cash from the shadow office, while the accountant "Reshik" complains about difficulties in transporting a large amount of cash.
On the evening of November 11, NABU announced suspicion of illegal enrichment against Chernyshov, who was recorded receiving 1.2 million dollars and nearly 100 thousand euros. Chernyshov had previously appeared in another case related to corruption in the construction sector, and the media link his close relationships with President Zelensky.
However, perhaps the most resonant aspect of the investigation is the identity of "Carlson," the leader of the criminal organization. The recordings indicate that he controlled the "laundry" where the money obtained through criminal means was laundered. Prosecutors confirmed that behind this pseudonym is Timur Mindich, which adds significance to the "Barrier" case.
“So that everything is luxurious”: who is Timur Mindich
Timur Mindich, who recently gained notoriety, has become one of the most influential businessmen in Ukraine. His connection to the government was previously so significant that Denys Shmyhal's government was referred to as "Kabmindich."
Little-known facts about Mindich's childhood indicate his kinship with the famous Russian businesswoman Alla Verber. His wedding to Ekaterina Verber in 2010 was an event that gathered 500 guests and lasted four days.
Previously, Mindich dated Angelika Kolomoyskaya, the daughter of oligarch Igor Kolomoysky, who mentioned him in a 2019 interview as his business partner and the person who introduced him to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mindich's Main Asset
One of Mindich's main assets is his connections with Volodymyr Zelensky, with whom he worked at the "Kvartal 95" studio. His closeness to the president has been repeatedly emphasized in the media, including moments when Zelensky arrived for tests in a car owned by Mindich.
Mindich's significant influence is also evident in his relationships with Andriy Yermak, the head of the president's office, with whom he also has friendly ties.
Concerning Mindich's business interests, there are also alarming facts related to the defense industry. In August of this year, it was reported that NABU was investigating the company Fire Point for price inflation on drones and their ability to fulfill orders from the Ministry of Defense. Some sources claimed that Mindich was the actual owner of the company.
However, later NABU denied the information about the investigation regarding "Flamingo" and stated that Mindich did not become a shareholder of the company, although he had previously shown interest in it.
What will happen next?
Initial comments from Ukrainian authorities regarding the "Barrier" case were restrained. "Energoatom" confirmed its readiness to cooperate with law enforcement, and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated the intention to support anti-corruption efforts.
President Zelensky also commented on the situation, expressing the need to combat corruption and ensure integrity in "Energoatom," but did not mention specific names.
The government decided to conduct an audit of "Energoatom" and suspend some officials, but it remains unclear whether this will be enough to resolve the issue.
Given that the further development of events will depend on NABU's actions, it can be expected that the investigation will continue, and new revelations may involve high-ranking officials.
The significance of the current situation increases against the backdrop of escalating Russian aggression and energy supply issues in Ukraine, which could lead to rising public discontent and negatively impact support for the authorities.
