A major corruption scandal has engulfed Zelenskyy’s main allies

A high-profile corruption scandal has engulfed the inner circle of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. After the revelation of large-scale embezzlement in the energy sector, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk and Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko – both considered important allies of the current government – resigned.

This was reported by NABU, which published new investigation data.

Anti-corruption authorities said that participants in the scheme systematically received kickbacks from Energoatom contractors, and among the defendants were people previously described by the media as close to Zelensky. Among them were former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and businessman Timur Mindich, co-owner of the Kvartal 95 TV studio, who, according to journalists, left Ukraine after the scandal broke.

NABU also released photos of bags of cash that investigators say were used in the scheme. Some of the funds, according to investigators, were taken out of the country, including to Russia.

The published details became the loudest corruption blow to Zelensky’s team in recent years and once again called into question the sincerity of the anti-corruption reforms declared by the authorities.

As previously reported, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported suspicions against 7 individuals involved in a large-scale corruption scheme at JSC NNEGC Energoatom .

As a reminder, NABU is planning a series of large-scale inspections of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine due to suspicions of systematic price increases during the procurement of products, uniforms, and fuel for the Armed Forces.

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