Between presumption and inevitability: how the ruling party reacts to the corruption scandal in the energy sector
12 November 17:28
ANALYSIS FROM 
Anti-corruption authorities have stepped up investigations in energy-related cases. Operational activities under the Midas operation have brought the sector back into the public spotlight and raised additional questions for businesses and investors.
Unlike classical political scandals, energy investigations have direct economic consequences through tariff policy, electricity and fuel imports, capital investments in networks, and price signals for private capital.
In addition, politicians and officials from the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been targeted by the NABU operation. [ Kommersant asked MPs from the Servant of the People faction to comment on the high-profile investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Politicians on Operation Midas: from the demand for “trial and prison” to a reminder of the presumption of innocence
The public positions of the Servant of the People parliamentarians demonstrate two parallel lines at once. Some MPs demand maximum legal certainty and prompt convictions, emphasizing the public demand for the inevitability of punishment.
How can we evaluate this? It’s a shame if this is the case. If there is evidence, then we need to bring people to trial and send them to prison,” said Kasai, outlining the electorate’s expectations of the investigation’s effectiveness.
In response to a question about the outcome of the investigations, he added briefly and directly that they should end in “court and prison.”
The other pole of the discussion is represented by voices emphasizing the legal correctness of the process.
We, as lawyers, must proceed from the principle of presumption of innocence, since it is impossible to say that a person has committed a crime until his or her guilt is established by a court verdict,” said Volodymyr Vatras.
At the same time, he acknowledged that the information released by the Anti-Corruption Bureau “gives reason to be quite worried about the situation in our energy sector” and emphasized the need to compensate possible losses to the state and contractors if guilt is proven.
“This is a rather strong blow to Ukraine’s reputation in the world… We must do everything possible to prove to our international partners that our law enforcement and judicial systems are working and that we are fighting corruption at the proper level,” the MP concluded, adding that fundamental changes need to be implemented in the energy sector.
Some MPs from the Servant of the People party avoided making any detailed assessments at all.
I will refrain from commenting. Unfortunately, there is little good for our country in this situation,” stated Sergiy Nagornyak.
And his colleague Yuriy Kamelchuk noted that he was glad that NABU had begun to move actively in the energy sector.
I expect concrete results and responsibility of specific individuals,” he said.
Fedir Venislavskyi voiced a more emotional position:
“For me, this is just shocking information. While the whole nation is donating to the Armed Forces, a group of scum is stealing public funds on an unprecedented scale. I think the reaction should be swift – dismissal, not suspension, prompt completion of the pre-trial investigation and prompt submission of materials to the court.
“War and corruption are incompatible”: Zelenskyy’s reaction to the NABU special operation
on November 10, during his video address to Ukrainians, the President emphasized that he fully supports the work of anti-corruption agencies and considers the case to be of fundamental importance for the whole country. He emphasized that now, in times of war and energy challenges, any corruption in the energy sector is not only a crime but also a direct threat to national security.
The inevitability of punishment is necessary. Energoatom provides Ukraine with the largest share of generation. Cleanliness in the company is a priority. Everyone who built the “schemes” must receive a clear procedural response. There must be sentences,” Zelensky said.
The President of Ukraine separately called on the government and all ministries to cooperate with NABU and SAPO, provide full information and not to obstruct the investigation.
By the way, political scientist and co-founder of the National Platform for Resilience and Cohesion Oleh Sahakyan believes that Zelenskyy is currently at a crossroads between loyalty to his team and his own political reputation. The political scientist sees two possible scenarios for the president’s actions. The head of state can either demonstrate integrity and allow even his inner circle to be held accountable, or he can defend his team, even despite corruption scandals, preserving its unity but risking his own reputation.
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Operation Midas: what you need to know about it
The operation of the NABU and the SAPO got its name from the hero of Greek ancient mythology, King Midas, who turned everything he touched into gold.
It resulted in the exposure of a criminal organization that included current and former energy officials, a well-known businessman, and other accomplices. According to the investigation, the group built a large-scale mechanism of informal influence on strategic state-owned enterprises, primarily Energoatom, for systematic bribery and subsequent money laundering.
In the framework of the proceedings under Art. 208 of the CPC, five people were detained and seven were served suspicion notices. Among them:
- Timur Mindich (“Carlson”) – a businessman who is considered to be the head of the organization. He managed to leave Ukraine before the searches began;
- Igor Myroniuk (“Rocket”) – former advisor to the Minister of Energy;
- Dmytro Basov (“Tenor”) – Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security at Energoatom;
- four people from the back office involved in money laundering.
According to the investigation, the scheme was based on the “recovery” of 10-15% of the contract amount from Energoatom’s counterparties. The suppliers were allegedly forced to pay kickbacks under the threat of blocking payments for services or products already rendered or being excluded from the list of partners. Inside the group, this practice was called “barrier”. The former deputy head of the State Property Fund (later an advisor to the Minister of Energy) and a former security officer who served as the company’s executive director for security were involved in the implementation. Using their official connections, they influenced personnel decisions, procurement, and financial flows, effectively managing a strategic asset with annual revenues of over UAH 200 billion as “lookouts” without formal authority.
According to NABU, the money was legalized through a separate office in the center of Kyiv. The premises belonged to the family of former MP Andrii Derkach (who fled to Russia), who is involved in another case of the Bureau and the SAPO. The office allegedly kept “black accounting”, accumulated cash, and organized money laundering through a network of non-resident companies; a significant part of the transactions and cash withdrawals were carried out outside Ukraine. For services to external clients, the office took a percentage of the “driven” amounts. In total, about $100 million could have passed through the so-called “laundry” during the documentation period.
The special operation lasted more than 15 months, starting in the summer of 2024. The detectives collected a large amount of evidence, including thousands of hours of audio recordings; at the final stage, almost all NABU personnel were involved. Following court orders, more than 70 searches were conducted in Kyiv and the regions, and significant amounts of documents and cash were seized. Other participants are being identified; the investigation is ongoing.
Pre-trial restraints have been granted:
- former Advisor to the Minister of Energy of Ukraine (custody with an alternative of UAH 126 million bail)
- executive Director for Physical Protection and Security of NNEGC Energoatom JSC (custody with an alternative of UAH 40 million bail).
What are the long-term implications of the NABU special operation for Ukraine’s politics and economy?
The operation of the NABU and the SAPO has already resulted in a number of personnel and political decisions. Thus, as of November 12:
- The Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with partners from the G7 countries, is preparing proposals for the government to approve the new composition of the supervisory board of NNEGC Energoatom;
- The government removed Herman Halushchenko from his duties as Minister of Justice;
- The State Audit Service launches a comprehensive audit of Energoatom.
The Midas operation has already become a stress test for the entire architecture of economic management in the energy sector. The market is ready to accept short-term turbulence if it leads to long-term risk reduction, more transparent competition, and greater discipline in spending public funds. Political commentary, ranging from harsh to restrained, only highlights the main point: the price of trust is always higher in wartime. Establishing the practice of unavoidable accountability without procedural failures is the signal that investors, creditors and donors are waiting for.
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