Large-scale corruption case in the energy sector: MP initiates resignation of the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy
10 November 18:27
MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has submitted resolutions to the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, [Komersant] reports.
The deputy cited systemic corruption, failures in preparations for the defense of the energy sector, and Galushchenko’s ties to former MP Andriy Derkach as the reasons.
No resignation resolutions have yet been published on the parliament’s website.
Where NABU and SAPO conducted searches
on November 10, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU ) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) conducted searches at Halushchenko’s home and at Energoatom’s premises.
The operation also included a businessman and co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio Tymur Mindich, a close ally of President Zelenskyy.
According to the NABU, the members of the criminal organization created a large-scale corruption scheme that allowed them to influence strategic public sector enterprises, including Energoatom.
What the NABU says
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has announced a large-scale operation called Midas to expose corruption in the energy sector.
According to the investigation, the main activity of the criminal organization was the systematic receipt of kickbacks from Energoatom’s contractors in the amount of 10% to 15% of the contract value. In particular, the counterparties had to pay to avoid blocking payments for services rendered/delivered products or losing their supplier status.
According to NABU, the scheme included:
- Rocket, who was an advisor to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko;
- Tenor, who was the executive director for physical protection and security at Energoatom;
- a well-known businessman and four other people.
Other codenames appear on the tapes besides Rocket and Tenor: Carlson and Professor. As according to mP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, these are allegedly businessmen Timur Mindich and Herman Halushchenko.
Where the money was legalized
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) stated that the legalization of illegally obtained funds in the energy sector corruption scheme was entrusted to a separate office located in the center of Kyiv.
According to law enforcement, the office belonged to the family of former MP and now Russian Senator Andrii Derkach, who is accused by NABU and SAPO in another criminal proceeding.
According to the investigation, this office was used to keep strict records of the funds received, to keep “black books” and to organize money laundering through a network of non-resident companies.
Law enforcement officials say that a significant number of transactions, including cash withdrawals, were conducted outside of Ukraine. The money was laundered through a network of non-resident companies and people who were abroad.
Who was responsible for money laundering?
Another businessman was responsible for the legalization of funds, NABU calls him Sugarman.
Sugarman’s money laundering tasks were carried out by the office employees, the key role among whom was played by a participant in the scheme called “ryoshk”. In fact, he can be considered “the main boogeyman of the criminal organization,” the NABU says.
The office was also controlled by an influential Ukrainian businessman. His group members called him Carlson.
It is also noted that special attention was paid to cryptocurrencies. For providing services to non-members of the criminal organization, the office received payment in the form of a percentage of the amounts transacted.
In total, according to the NABU, about $100 million passed through the so-called “laundry”.
The NABU and the SAPO documented the facts of legalization of more than $5 million in favor of Roket, an adviser to the Minister of Energy.
Law enforcement officers found that in February 2025, Roket transferred $350,000 to the so-called “laundry”, in March – almost $840,000, and in April – $3 million.
Law enforcement officers found that the criminal organization had ties to Russia. The money was also laundered in Austria, North America, and Africa.
