The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has released a new series of tapes, known as the "Mindytsch tapes," exposing large-scale corruption schemes in Ukraine's energy sector. According to law enforcement, organizers of the scheme received 10-15% kickbacks from Energoatom contracts and controlled appointments, procurement, and finances through government connections. Key enterprises with turnovers exceeding UAH 200 billion were effectively managed by unofficial "overseers." The published tapes involve different figures, including nicknames such as “Karlson” (likely Midas), “Professor” (probably Halushchenko), and others. NABU’s investigation also raises questions regarding the activities of Ukrnafta, Energoatom, and several other energy companies.
Meanwhile, a London court has ordered former PrivatBank owners, Ihor Kolomoiskyi and Gennadiy Boholyubov, to pay Ukraine $3 billion by November 24. The court concluded that the former shareholders misused their positions before the bank was nationalized. If enforced, this decision could provide significant financial support for the state.
Additionally, Western media have intensively covered claims of Valerii Zaluzhnyi's alleged involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosion. An article based on a Serbian journalist’s reporting suggests a Ukrainian link to the sabotage, though there is no evidence to support this, and experts regard it as a possible attempt at discreditation. Zaluzhnyi responded to these allegations with irony, while commentators stress the need for caution in evaluating such information.
The developments have heightened public attention on transparency in the energy sector, recovery of state assets, and the international information environment regarding Ukraine.
