Recently, the Ukrainian public demanded visible results from anti-corruption agencies. On November 10, 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) announced the results of a 15-month investigation into a large-scale corruption scheme at the state company Energoatom.
Called "Operation Midas," the effort involved all NABU detectives: more than 70 searches were carried out, over 1,000 hours of audio recordings collected, and top officials identified as suspects, including former ministerial advisors, ex-prosecutors, and businessmen connected to national leadership.
Suspects identified include Tymur Mindich ("Karlson"), Ihor Myroniuk ("Rocket"), Dmytro Basov ("Tenor"), and Herman Halushchenko ("Professor"). They reportedly created a parallel management system in Energoatom, delayed payments to suppliers, demanded bribes of 10–15% of contract sums, controlled key appointments, and laundered money through a network of individual entrepreneurs.
The deputy director of the Atomenergomash branch was detained for systematically receiving bribes and demanding more than 6.6 million UAH. Four private entrepreneurs acted as intermediaries to launder illicit funds.
NABU's audio materials demonstrate the scale and brazenness of the scheme: during large-scale Russian attacks, participants discussed raising kickback rates and delaying security projects. The company, which produces half of Ukraine’s electricity, was essentially managed by outsiders without official authority.
Formal charges against the main suspects have not yet been officially announced. NABU stresses the presumption of innocence — only a court may determine guilt. The investigation is ongoing. Authorities emphasize that corruption in the energy sector during wartime is not just budget loss, but a threat to national security.
Operation Midas revealed longstanding problems in public administration and highlighted the need for reforms in state corporations, ensuring transparency and accountability.
