Ukraine Energy Corruption Scandal: Ministers Resign Amid $100M Probe

Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukraine is facing a high-profile political crisis as its Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko resigned following a sweeping corruption investigation in the country’s energy sector. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced their removal on Wednesday amid mounting public and institutional pressure.

The scandal stems from a 15-month investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), which uncovered an alleged embezzlement scheme worth approximately $100 million (£76 million). The alleged corruption involved contractors at the national nuclear operator Enerhoatom and key figures in the Ukrainian government.

Authorities claim that Justice Minister Halushchenko and other senior officials received payments from companies building fortifications to protect energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. The probe has implicated high-profile figures, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and Timur Mindich, co-owner of Zelensky’s former TV studio Kvartal95, who has reportedly fled the country.

While Halushchenko vowed to defend himself against the accusations, Grynchuk posted on social media that "within the scope of my professional activities there were no violations of the law."

NABU revealed that the scheme systematically collected kickbacks of 10–15% from Enerhoatom contractors. The illicit funds were laundered through offices in Kyiv and, according to prosecutors, some proceeds were reportedly transferred outside Ukraine, including to Russia. Photographic evidence of cash-filled bags has been released as part of the ongoing investigation.

The scandal emerges at a time when Ukraine’s energy sector is under immense strain due to escalating Russian attacks on substations and nuclear facilities, compounding the impact of the corruption revelations.

The issue also raises fresh questions about Ukraine’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms, crucial for maintaining the country’s EU candidate status. Previous nationwide protests erupted in July over moves to curb the independence of NABU and SAP, prompting sharp criticism from the G7 and EU partners.

This latest revelation has placed President Zelensky under renewed scrutiny, testing public confidence in his administration’s dedication to transparency and reform, even amid wartime challenges.