After the corruption scandal: the competition for the Supervisory Board of Energoatom attracted record attention
5 December 17:15
The competition for the positions of four independent members of the supervisory board of the state-owned Energoatom company unexpectedly attracted 83 applications, much more than the government expected after a high-profile corruption scandal surrounding the company. This was stated by Deputy Economy Minister Anna Artemenko, speaking at an international forum in Kyiv, Interfax-Ukraine reports, "Komersant Ukrainian".
Wide interest
According to Artemenko, initial forecasts were restrained. After the NABU disclosed details of the Midas case, a scheme involving former top executives and people close to the country’s political leadership, there were doubts that the competition would attract professional international candidates.
However, a preliminary analysis of the applications shows otherwise: a strong shortlist of about 20 well-known candidates is expected, including foreign experts with experience in nuclear energy and corporate governance.
The competition will be held according to the full procedure
The Ministry of Economy emphasizes that despite the scandal and early termination of the powers of the old supervisory board, the new selection is being conducted in accordance with the full procedure. This was made possible by the fact that the competition for two members of the board began in September, and part of the preparatory work was carried out by an external recruiter.
Nomination committees are scheduled to meet in late December.
Artemenko called the government’s decision to independently evaluate the activities of the previous supervisory board “ad-hoc” and a reaction to the management crisis following the NABU’s statements.
The government plans to approve an independent supervisory board by the end of 2025. Observers expect that the process of its formation will be a test of the Ukrainian energy sector’s ability to restore trust after a series of high-profile corruption revelations.
The Energoatom scandal
As you know, businessman Timur Mindich is one of the defendants in the high-profile corruption scandal at Energoatom. On November 10, the NABU and the SAPO published the so-called Mindich tapes, which show that a kickback scheme was operating at Energoatom, with contractors being demanded to pay 10-15% of the transaction amount.
The scandal also implicated former Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and former Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, who have both resigned. Mnidic is also suspected of putting pressure on the current Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, who previously served as Minister of Defense.
According to law enforcement:
- The money was legalized through an office in Kyiv associated with the family of former MP and current Russian Senator Andrii Derkach.
- According to the prosecutor’s office, thescheme was coordinated by businessmen Alexander Zuckerman (nicknamed “Chief” / “Sugarman”) and Timur Mindich (nicknamed “Carlson”).
- Law enforcement officials call Mindich close to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- The SAPO claims that during 2025, Mindich influenced Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and then-Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
