Zelensky comments on Operation Midas and Mindych tapes
10 November 20:50
For the first time, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the Midas operation of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), which exposed large-scale corruption, primarily in the energy sector. Zelensky made his statement during his traditional evening video address to Ukrainians on November 10, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
He emphasized that he fully supports the work of anti-corruption bodies and considers the case to be fundamental 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.
As a reminder, on November 10, the NABU announced a large-scale operation jointly with the SAPO to investigate corruption schemes in the energy sector. The detectives found that in recent years, representatives of state-owned companies and officials of the Ministry of Energy could systematically receive undue benefits from suppliers and contractors.
The NABU emphasizes that the purpose of the investigation is not only to punish specific individuals, but also to “dismantle” systemic corruption in a strategically important industry that provides the country with electricity in times of war.
Operation Midas: the main facts about it
According to preliminary data, it is a scheme related to tenders, blocking payments and extortion of so-called “kickbacks” from Energoatom’s contractors in the amount of 10-15% of the contract amount. Suppliers were forced to pay by threatening to block payments for work already performed or to remove them from the list of partners.
The NABU’s materials list the participants under codenames. For example, Rocket is an advisor to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, and Tenor is the former executive director of physical protection and security at Energoatom. The so-called “Mindych tapes” also feature a well-known businessman and four other people. The released audio recordings mention “Carlson” and “Professor”. MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak claims that these are allegedly businessman Timur Mindich and Herman Halushchenko himself.
According to the investigation, the money was legalized through a separate office in the center of Kyiv, which belonged to the family of former MP and now Russian Senator Andrii Derkach (he is involved in another NABU and SAPO case). It was there that the “black bookkeeping”, strict cash accounting, and money laundering through a network of non-resident companies were conducted. A significant part of the operations (in particular, cash withdrawals) was conducted outside Ukraine; schemes were used in Austria, North America and Africa, and there were also connections in Russia.
Another businessman with the call sign “Sugarman” was responsible for the laundering. The executors in the office were his subordinates. The key role was played by a member of the “seven” nicknamed “Rusk” – in fact, the chief accountant of the criminal organization.
The NABU estimates the total amount of funds that passed through this “laundry” at about $100 million. Separately, the legalization of more than $5 million in favor of Roket was documented: in February 2025, he transferred $350,000 to the laundry, in March – almost $840,000, and in April – $3 million.
As a result, the NABU and the SAPO claim that there is an organized group with influence on Energoatom’s personnel, tenders, and financial flows, which systematically monetized access to the state-owned company by extorting kickbacks and subsequent money laundering in several jurisdictions.
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