The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) in Ukraine has filed a request with the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS) for the detention of former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. The prosecution is seeking a preventive measure involving custody with the possibility of bail set at 425 million hryvnias.
According to SAP spokesperson Olha Postoliuk, the request has already been submitted to the court, although the date for the hearing has yet to be confirmed.
“SAP will request custody for the former Energy Minister with bail set at 425 million hryvnias,” Postoliuk stated.
While the spokesperson did not specify the individual in question, it is understood from case materials that Halushchenko has been implicated in a corruption investigation involving significant embezzlement at Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company.
The case is part of a broader operation, dubbed “Midas,” which began on November 10, 2025, led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). This operation has resulted in over 70 searches, revealing that the scheme’s organizers allegedly received kickbacks amounting to 15% of contract values from Energoatom.
According to NABU, these funds were laundered through back offices located in central Kyiv, owned by the family of former parliament member and current Russian senator Andriy Derkach. Investigators estimate that the total amount laundered in this case reached 100 million dollars.
On November 10, NABU released recordings of conversations among the main figures in the case, who were identified by code names. Key suspects include businessman Timur Mindich, known as “Karlson,” and Oleksandr Tsukerman, referred to as “Sugar Man.” Both left the country shortly before the searches were conducted, and are now subject to sanctions and wanted notices.
Alexander Abakumov, head of the NABU detective group, indicated that the investigation has implicated four former ministers from various periods of the Ukrainian government, including Halushchenko. Searches were also conducted at his residence.
On November 12, Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko submitted a proposal to the Parliament for Halushchenko’s dismissal, which was approved on November 19, along with the removal of the Minister of Energy, Svitlana Hrynchuk.
Timofiy Milovanov, former Minister of Economy and current President of the Kyiv School of Economics, announced his resignation from the Supervisory Board of Energoatom. Following this, Svyrydenko stated that the government would be restructuring Energoatom, starting with the dissolution of its supervisory board. A new board is expected to be appointed by the end of the year.
VAKS has also determined preventive measures for other suspects in the case:
- Lesya Ustymenko, a private entrepreneur, has been ordered to remain in custody for 60 days with bail set at 25 million hryvnias. Her bail was posted by the company Vangar on November 13.
- Ihor Mironyuk, identified by NABU as a former advisor to Halushchenko, has been detained until January 8, 2025, with bail set at 126 million hryvnias. He has filed an appeal, which was rejected by the appellate court on December 17.
- Ihor Fursenko, Executive Director of Security at Energoatom, is also in custody until January 8, with bail set at 95 million hryvnias. His appeal was similarly denied.
- Dmytro Basov, Executive Director of Physical Security at Energoatom, has been ordered to remain in custody for 60 days with bail set at 40 million hryvnias. He has since posted bail and been released.
- Ludmyla Zorina, a private entrepreneur, has been ordered to remain in custody for 60 days with bail set at 12 million hryvnias, which has already been posted.
- Olexiy Chernyshov, former Minister of National Unity, has been ordered to remain in custody until January 16, 2026, with bail set at 51 million hryvnias. He has posted this amount and been released.
On December 1, a preventive measure of detention was imposed on Mindich in absentia, as he is considered the leader of the group involved in the corruption schemes in the energy sector. The case against him may soon be referred to Interpol for his arrest, particularly if he attempts to cross international borders.
The Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have initiated proceedings against former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, seeking his detention amid a significant corruption investigation involving Energoatom. The case, part of a larger operation, has implicated multiple high-profile individuals and has led to extensive searches and arrests.