How anti-corruption agencies exposed the shadow “Ministry of Energy” that influenced Energoatom
11 November 16:24
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have announced a large-scale special operation , Midas, which lasted more than 15 months, [Komersant] reports.
The criminal organization included current and former energy officials, a well-known businessman in the media, and others. Its members built a large-scale corruption scheme to influence the activities of strategic public sector enterprises, in particular, Energoatom, to obtain illegal benefits and money laundering.
The suspects include current and former officials of the industry, a former advisor to the Minister of Energy, a top manager of Energoatom, and a well-known businessman whom the investigation considers to be the head of the organization.
Five people have been detained and seven have been notified of suspicion.
How the scheme worked
The investigation found that the group operated on a corrupt kickback model, receiving 10-15% of the value of Energoatom’s contracts.
The contractors were imposed a condition: either pay the percentage or risk losing the status of a supplier – this practice was called “barrier” within the company .
The organizer of the scheme involved
- a former deputy head of the State Property Fund, who later became an advisor to the Minister of Energy;
- a former law enforcement officer who served as Energoatom’s executive director for security.
Through their connections in the government and the company, they effectively controlled personnel decisions, tenders, and financial flows.
According to the NABU, the management of a strategic enterprise with revenues of more than UAH 200 billion was actually carried out by unofficial “lookouts” rather than authorized officials.
Money laundering was carried out through an office in the center of Kyiv
According to the investigation, the office belonged to the family of former MP and now Russian Senator Andrii Derkach, who was accused by NABU in another case.
It was used for “black accounting,” a careful accounting of cash and transfers through a network of non-resident offshore companies.
Some operations were conducted outside Ukraine, and the office received a commission for money laundering “services”.
During the period of documenting the activities , approximately USD 100 million passed through the office.
How the special operation was conducted
The NABU and the SAPO have been documenting the group’s activities for more than a year – since the summer of 2024.
The investigation included
- more than 70 searches were conducted in Kyiv and the regions;
- seized a significant amount of documents and cash;
- thousands of hours of audio recordings were obtained, recording the suspects’ actions.
Almost all NABU detectives were involved in the final stage of the operation.
Investigators continue to identify other participants.
As of November 11, the issue of preventive measures for the detainees is being decided.
The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials hint that this is only part of a larger scheme to influence the energy sector, which may be revealed in further episodes of the case.
“Energoatomis a strategic enterprise that provides more than half of Ukraine’s electricity.
Corrupt control over its financial flows means the risk of affecting the country’s energy security.
Operation Midas has become one of the largest anti-corruption special operations after 2022, and may become a test of the NABU’s political independence in cases involving the highest levels of government and business.
