Photo: depositphotos
On november 10, nabu and the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office (sap) announced operation “midas,” focusing on high-level corruption and organized crime in ukraine’s energy and defense sectors. The investigation lasted 15 months and involved over 70 searches, with all detectives of the national bureau participating.
“corruption in energy, money laundering, illegal enrichment. more details to follow,” the bureau said, releasing selected excerpts from recorded conversations during investigative actions. In one conversation, participants discuss planned kickbacks from the construction of protective structures.
Other remarks include: “you understand, the first cabinet meeting he attends will be spectacular. another diamond will appear in his crown.” and: “i don’t want to get a charge. for what?”
Earlier, it was reported that nabu carried out searches at the home of president zelensky’s close friend and kvartal 95 co-owner, tymur mindich, who reportedly left ukraine hours before the raids.
Subsequent searches involved justice minister herman galushchenko, who headed the ministry of energy from 2021 to 2025, as well as nerc “energoatom” and former advisor igor mironyuk, linked to ex-mp and businessman andriy derkach.
nabu and sap confirmed the operation is part of a wide-scale effort to expose corruption in the energy sector at a high level. According to the bureau, participants had established a large-scale scheme influencing strategic state-owned enterprises, including “naek energoatom.”
