Ukraine War12 November, 20253 min read
Zelensky Demands Ouster of Justice and Energy Ministers Over Major Wartime Corruption Scandal
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Zelensky demanded removal of Justice Minister German Galushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk. National Anti-Corruption Bureau raided homes of top officials and Zelensky's former business partner.
7 outlets told this the same way.
Energoatom corruption scandal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded the ouster of the justice and energy ministers after a sweeping wartime corruption scandal centered on the state nuclear company Energoatom. The calls came amid public outrage over failures in a war-damaged power sector. LBCI reported that Zelensky urged the justice and energy ministers to resign and said it was absolutely unacceptable that corruption persists while Ukrainians face daily power outages caused by Russian attacks.
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged the justice and energy ministers to resign amid a sweeping corruption scandal in the country’s war-damaged energy sector.”
ABC News said investigators raided the homes of senior officials and a former business partner of Zelensky as anti-corruption bodies uncovered a high-level scheme with about $100 million in alleged kickbacks. The alleged kickbacks were tied to contractors hired to build defenses for energy infrastructure. France 24 described the incident as a major political test for Zelensky’s administration nearly four years into the full-scale invasion.
Energoatom corruption allegations
Details of the alleged scheme come primarily from Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau (NABU) and investigative reporting. Diari ARA reports that NABU released recorded conversations, said to be in code and encrypted language, accusing Timur Minditx as the main organiser and naming several other defendants. Reports claim defendants took 10–15% commissions from Energoatom contractors and laundered roughly $100 million through a Kyiv office.
Diari ARA lists specific accused individuals and reported payments, while ABC News and France 24 also cite roughly $100 million in alleged kickbacks and the involvement of Energoatom contractors building defenses for energy infrastructure. The reporting says some suspects fled, others were arrested, and legal proceedings are underway.
Kyiv scandal and fallout
The scandal has immediate political ramifications and feeds existing critiques that Kyiv is politicising the judiciary. France 24 and Folha de S.Paulo report accusations that prosecutions have been used to silence critics. They cite the recent October arrest of former Ukrenergo head Volodymyr Kudrytsky on embezzlement charges, which he and his supporters say was politically motivated retribution for criticism of the government’s energy-defence strategy.
“Critics and opposition figures warn the cases reflect a pattern of weaponising prosecutions to intimidate dissent, while Kyiv’s efforts to centralise power to run the war have clashed with demands for democratic reforms needed for EU accession.”
Diari ARA notes the political sensitivity because Timur Minditx is a former business partner and close associate of President Zelensky, though it adds there is no evidence directly linking Zelensky to the scheme. LBCI records Zelensky’s own response, calling for dismissals and signalling a clean-up at Energoatom. These sources combine to show both the political risk for Zelensky and the administration’s public attempts to contain the fallout.
Winter power security concerns
Observers say the allegations carry national security stakes because Energoatom and contractors were allegedly paid to build defenses for power systems under sustained Russian attack, making the accusations particularly sensitive as Ukraine heads into winter. ABC News highlights the sensitivity since the work was meant to protect systems under sustained Russian attack, while France 24 warns the electricity grid is being hit repeatedly ahead of winter and that Brussels is watching closely. LBCI ties public outrage to power outages caused by Russian attacks and notes that any corruption in the sector resonates beyond politics and into civilian survival.
Responses to Energoatom scandal
Reports vary on official responses and next steps. Diari ARA says Zelensky announced a 'clean‑up' of Energoatom and sanctions against implicated individuals. NABU presented the case as proof that its anti‑corruption institutions can operate at high levels.
“Zelensky responded by calling for dismissals at Justice and Energy, announcing a ‘clean-up’ of Energoatom and sanctions against implicated individuals, while NABU framed the case as a sign that anti-corruption institutions can operate at high levels.”
France 24 and Folha report that Justice Minister German Galushchenko has been suspended or removed and denies wrongdoing. ABC News reports Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed Galushchenko is under investigation and has been removed from his post.
Reports indicate arrests, some suspects fleeing, and that multiple anti‑corruption bodies are handling the scandal. Sources differ in emphasis between immediate legal action, political fallout, and institutional credibility.