Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Authorities Accuse Zelensky Ally of $100 Million Embezzlement
Mindich fled as prosecutors expose presidential link to graft.
Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities on Tuesday formally accused Timur Mindich, co-owner of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s former production company Kvartal 95 and a close associate of the president, of orchestrating a $100 million embezzlement and money-laundering scheme within the nation’s critical energy sector. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office stated in court that Mindich leveraged his direct personal relationship with Zelensky to gain control over illicit financial flows originating from state energy enterprises.
Prosecutors further alleged that Mindich provided substantial personal benefits to Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who served as Energy Minister for four years, in exchange for authority over monetary distributions in the sector. The accusations emerged during a pre-trial hearing for another suspect, as part of a broader investigation that has resulted in the arrest of five individuals and charges against seven others following extensive raids conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The 15-month probe revealed that the embezzlement occurred while Ukraine’s power infrastructure suffered continuous destruction from Russian missile and drone strikes, leaving millions without electricity for extended periods. NABU officials confirmed that Mindich departed the country immediately prior to the enforcement actions, raising serious concerns about potential foreknowledge or protection at senior levels.
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Public indignation has intensified over evidence of systemic corruption in the energy domain at a time of acute national vulnerability and widespread hardship. The scandal directly undermines Ukraine’s credibility in meeting European Union anti-corruption benchmarks, a core condition for membership accession negotiations.
With the president’s long-standing business partner now designated a fugitive and his current Justice Minister implicated in receiving illegal payments, the case represents the most significant challenge to governmental integrity since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The developments have amplified pressure on Zelensky to demonstrate decisive action against high-level graft within his administration.
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