Former Ukrainian Energy Minister Detained Amid Major Corruption Probe
In a dramatic development in Ukraine’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts, former energy minister German Galushchenko has been detained while attempting to leave the country, authorities confirmed.
Galushchenko, who was removed from his government post last year following his involvement in a high-profile corruption scandal, was reportedly apprehended on a train crossing Ukraine’s borders. His intended destination remains unclear.
The former minister is one of several officials implicated in the so-called $100 million Midas embezzlement scheme, which erupted in November. The scandal has put significant pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, which came to power promising to eradicate corruption ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
While Zelensky and his chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak, a key adviser throughout the ongoing war, have not been accused of wrongdoing, the scandal has heightened international scrutiny, including calls from the United States to hold elections, which have been postponed since 2022 under wartime provisions.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) confirmed in a statement on Sunday that its detectives had detained the former minister “while crossing the state border” as part of the Midas investigation. Although NABU did not name Galushchenko directly, Ukrainian media outlets have widely reported his involvement.
Galushchenko, who briefly served as justice minister following three years as energy minister, was instructed by President Zelensky to resign in November. His successor, Svitlana Hrynchuk, also resigned amid allegations. According to NABU, Galushchenko is being transported to Kyiv for further questioning, with border authorities alerted to prevent any escape attempts.
The Operation Midas probe represents the culmination of 15 months of investigation by NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). Investigators allege that several individuals orchestrated a complex scheme to embezzle funds from Ukraine’s energy sector, including the national nuclear operator, Energoatom.
Galushchenko is accused of systematically collecting kickbacks from Energoatom contractors, estimated at 10–15% of contract values. Authorities claim that laundered funds were transferred abroad, including to Russia, and have released photographic evidence of bags of cash allegedly linked to the scheme. Galushchenko has maintained that he will defend himself against the charges.
Other high-profile arrests linked to the scandal include former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who faces charges of abuse of office and illicit enrichment, while businessman Timur Mindich, co-owner of Zelensky’s former TV studio Kvartal95, reportedly fled Ukraine after being flagged as a suspect.
The revelations have provoked outrage within Ukraine, as the scandal coincided with intensified Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure during a harsh winter. Corruption has been a persistent challenge for Ukraine since its independence, despite the decade-long efforts of NABU and SAP.
Crackdowns like Operation Midas are seen as critical not only for restoring public trust but also for advancing Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, where transparency and governance standards are a key requirement.
