Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency said on Monday it had conducted large-scale raids on the country’s energy sector – an operation that comes after months of infighting over Kyiv’s anti-graft efforts.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) said it 70 searches had been staged after a 15-month investigation – in collaboration with the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office – into the sector, which has been battered by Russian attacks since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
NABU said it had uncovered a “high-level criminal organisation” based on securing kickbacks from contracts awarded by major nuclear power provider Energoatom.
Releasing audio recordings of alleged perpetrators discussing the scheme, it said around $100 million had passed through a money-laundering operation set up to funnel proceeds.
The raids came months after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tried to strip powers from both NABU and the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, triggering a rare public backlash and the largest protests since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk told a press conference that Energoatom and the sector will respect the investigation, while preparing for another winter of war.
“It is very important that the investigative actions are conducted transparently and openly,” she said.
“At the same time, I want to remind you that our energy system is under severe attacks and, naturally, any events at Energoatom … are under everyone’s attention,” she added.
Ukraine has long been plagued by corruption, and Zelenskyy backed down amid the protests and over concerns the reforms could undermine Kyiv’s ambitions to join the European Union.
Russia has pounded Ukraine’s energy sector with missile and drone attacks throughout the nearly four-year invasion.
Energoatom confirmed it a searched had been conducted and said it was cooperating with the investigation. It did not comment on the allegations.
Ukrainian media reported that the scheme involved close Zelensky ally Timur Mindich, a co-owner of production studio Kvartal 95, founded by Zelenskyy, who was a former star comedian before running for office.
NABU did not name those targeted in the investigation.
The accusations that funds have been siphoned from the energy industry, at a time of relentless attacks and widespread power shortages, have stoked fresh public anger.
“Today’s war is not just at the front line. It is also a war within the system, between those who want change and those who want to cover everything with cash and silence,” anti-corruption activist Martyna Boguslavets said on social media.
Zelenskyy is yet to comment on the allegations.
“For now, nothing is clear,” his aide Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters.
“If NABU has done a good job, then they have done a good job, and this can only be supported,” he added.
(aw)
