Ukraine's energy and justice ministers have resigned in the wake of a major investigation into corruption in the country's energy sector.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called for Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko's removal on Wednesday.
On Monday, anti-corruption bodies accused several individuals of orchestrating an embezzlement scheme in the energy sector valued at approximately $100 million (£76 million), including at the national nuclear operator Enerhoatom.
Some of those implicated in the scandal have been or are close associates of Zelensky.
The allegations state that Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and other key officials received kickbacks from contractors responsible for building defenses against Russian assaults on energy infrastructure.
Those alleged to be involved include former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and Timur Mindich, a businessman tied to Zelensky’s former media entity Kvartal95, who reportedly fled the country.
Halushchenko has stated he will defend himself against the accusations, while Grynchuk maintains no legal violations occurred within her tenure.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) assert that the comprehensive investigation, which spanned 15 months and involved extensive audio surveillance, revealed the participation of several government members.
As per Nabu, the individuals involved allegedly collected systematic kickbacks from Enerhoatom contractors that ranged from 10% to 15% of contract values.
The investigation also indicated that substantial sums from the scheme were laundered, with images of cash-filled bags made public.
Proceeds were reportedly funneled abroad, including to Russia, connected to a Kyiv office associated with Andriy Derkach, a former Ukrainian lawmaker now serving as a Russian senator.
Nabu continues to publish snippets from its findings and wiretaps daily, with promises for further revelations.
This scandal surfaces as Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities escalate, spotlighting the persistent issue of corruption in Ukraine, despite efforts by Nabu and Sap since their establishment a decade ago.
The latest developments come in the wake of widespread protests earlier this year over changes that threatened the autonomy of Nabu and Sap, with fears of jeopardizing Ukraine's EU candidate status contingent on credible anti-corruption efforts.
This latest scandal raises pressing questions regarding Zelensky’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms and his administration's integrity going forward.
