The corruption scandal involving members of the Ukrainian government and businessman Timur Mindich, who is closely connected to those in power, may spell the end of Volodymyr Zelensky’s political career — wrote Owen Matthews, a journalist at The Spectator, as summarized in Hungary by Orosz Hírek.
Csatlakozz a Telegram-csatornánkhoz!
“The 15-month investigation by NABU (Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau — Ed.), which targets ‘high-level’ corruption at the very top of Ukraine’s political elite, will likely carry serious consequences for Zelensky’s political future,” he noted.
In his view, a full confrontation is brewing between the independent anti-corruption agencies and Zelensky’s inner circle, and the consequences could be severe. Matthews also pointed out that the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) may side with Zelensky.
“The Ukrainian domestic security service known as the SBU is loyal to Zelensky and wields significant domestic power through its control of the court system and the prisons. NABU and SAPO (the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office — Ed.), on the other hand, receive political and financial backing from European and American governments, as well as operational support from Western security agencies. This seeming independence — combined with actual Western oversight — has led some Ukrainian politicians to label NABU as an instrument of foreign dominance,” the columnist wrote.
Orosz Hírek recalled that on November 10, Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities launched an operation in response to rampant corruption in the energy sector. They searched the home of Mindich — widely known as “Zelensky’s wallet” — as well as the homes of the former energy minister, current justice minister Herman Halushchenko, and the offices of Energoatom. Later, recordings of conversations related to the case were released, although the participants’ names were not disclosed.
According to Ukrainian media reports, charges have been filed against Mindich; Ihor Mironyuk, former adviser to the energy minister; Dmytro Basov, acting director for security affairs at Energoatom; businessmen Oleksandr Zukerman and Ihor Fursenko; and Lesia Ustymenko and Lyudmyla Zorina. The latter three individuals allegedly worked in a so-called “back office” engaged in money-laundering activities.
Investigators say the participants in the scheme laundered approximately 100 million dollars. In addition, former Ukrainian deputy prime minister Oleksandr Chernyshov has also been charged in the case.
Meanwhile, Index reported that the Ukrainian government has suspended with immediate effect Yakov Hartmut, vice-president and board member of the state-owned nuclear energy company Energoatom. Others affected by the measure include the company’s financial and budget director, its legal director, and the head of the “Centralized Procurement” department.
They also reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions on banker Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zukerman. “According to Unian, the National Security and Defense Council supported the Cabinet’s proposals regarding the measures. The individuals concerned are being stripped of state honors, and their assets have been frozen for three years.”
Under the decree, they are barred from all commercial activity and prohibited from leaving the territory of Ukraine. Both individuals are Israeli citizens, the report noted.
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, commented on the corruption scandal that has erupted in Ukraine’s energy sector. According to the official, public funds were stolen. “There is absolutely no place for corruption — especially now. The money of the people was stolen, money that should have gone to the front line,” the diplomat stated.
She emphasized the swift actions and the seriousness with which the case is being handled, referring to the investigation and accountability efforts — Index reported based on Reuters.
Serious forces are clashing in this affair. Perhaps all that’s left for me to do is order a coffee…?
