“Deeply rooted corruption”: how foreign media reacted to Operation Midas
фото: facebook НАБУ
On Monday, November 10, NABU and SAPO reported on a large-scale corruption scheme at JSC NNEGC Energoatom, involving four ministers, businessmen, and officials at various levels.
The information quickly spread beyond Ukraine, and the world’s media picked up on the news about the corruption scandal, focusing on various aspects of the problem.
The British publication The Guardian emphasizes that Ukraine’s energy sector has faced a large-scale investigation, as the state nuclear power operator Energoatom receives illegal payments of 10-15%.
Against the backdrop of the corruption scandal, events that took place in the summer are recalled. In particular, it concerns an attempt to weaken the powers of NABU and SAPO. Despite the fact that Zelensky signed a law on the restoration of the independence of institutions, there is still ongoing tension between the Office of the President and key anti-corruption bodies.
The authors of the material note that the rule of law and the absence of corruption are key elements for joining the European Union.
A similar view of the EU’s demands is supported by the Reuters news agency in its publication about Ukraine. The author points out that the scheme was exposed at a time when Ukrainians are suffering from massive Russian shelling of the energy sector.
In addition, it is noted that against this background, the European Solidarity party announced its intention to initiate a parliamentary procedure for the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers.
“For now, these moves are unlikely to be successful in the chamber, where Zelenskyy’s allies have a de facto majority,” Reuters suggests.
The American newspaper The Hill focuses on the fact that while large amounts of foreign funds are flowing into the Ukrainian energy sector to recover from continuous Russian attacks, a corruption scheme is raging in Ukraine.
At the same time, the publication recalls other corruption schemes related to inflated contracts for military needs and the embezzlement of millions of dollars intended for the purchase of mortar shells.
“The Anti-Corruption Bureau is tasked with rooting out deep-rooted corruption, which many see as an obstacle to Kyiv’s efforts towards European Union membership,” the article says.
The Washington Post notes that the corruption scandal in the energy sector unfolded “just months after the president tried to limit their independence.”
“The kickback scandal has erupted at an extremely delicate and critical time for Ukraine’s energy sector. Ukraine’s electricity supply has been severely depleted as Russian missiles and drones have attacked power plants and the country’s grid, leading to widespread power outages across the country,” the report says.
Moreover, the newspaper indicates that the current head of the Ministry of Justice and former Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko may appear in the scheme.
As a reminder, NABU and SAPO are conducting a large-scale operation “Midas” to expose corruption in the energy sector . According to the investigation, the activities of a high-level criminal organization were established, which controlled financial flows and personnel decisions in state energy structures.
It is known that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau exposed an office in downtown Kyiv through which those involved in a corruption scheme in the energy sector legalized illegally obtained funds.
By the way, detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau are conducting searches at the home of former Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko and at JSC NNEGC Energoatom. The investigation concerns corruption schemes in the energy sector , which, according to the investigation, have been operating for a long time.
The day before, Justice Minister Herman Galushchenko, who headed the Ministry of Energy until the end of July 2025, called for an end to discussions of his previous activities , in particular regarding tariff policy.
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