Ukraine has officially asked Israel to extradite two key figures in a massive corruption case – after a controversial delay. The “Midas” probe could test Kyiv’s reform credibility with the U.S. and EU.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have intensified efforts to bring key suspects in the high-profile “Midas” case to justice, as the Office of the Prosecutor General has officially sent an extradition request to Israel for businessmen Timur Mindich and Oleksandr Zukerman.
The move comes after a two-week delay that drew criticism from investigators. According to Oleksandr Abakumov, chief detective in the case, the extradition documents had been submitted earlier but remained unsigned.
“We submitted the extradition documents to the Office of the Prosecutor General. As far as I know, they had still not been signed… It seems to me that the Prosecutor General should sign this extradition request as soon as possible,” Abakumov said in an interview.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has since confirmed the request was finalized and sent. Spokesperson Mariana Haiovska-Kovbasiuk stated that the delay was due to the need to eliminate “procedural and technical shortcomings” in coordination with detectives.
The “Midas” case is one of Ukraine’s largest recent anti-corruption investigations, centered on alleged schemes in the energy sector.
In November 2025, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) launched a sweeping operation involving searches at state energy company Energoatom and properties linked to former officials and associates. Mindich, described as a close associate and business partner of the president, left Ukraine just hours before the raids.
Investigators allege that Mindich led a network involved in receiving and laundering funds from corruption schemes tied to the energy sector.
The probe quickly expanded. Searches were conducted at facilities linked to Energoatom, as well as at the residence of former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. NABU later uncovered an office in central Kyiv allegedly used for off-the-books accounting and money laundering operations, linked to networks associated with former Ukrainian MP and current Russian senator Andriy Derkach.
Authorities released audio recordings allegedly involving Mindich and Halushchenko, further intensifying the case.
Multiple suspects have since been detained. Among them:
- Former minister Oleksii Chernyshov — charged with illicit enrichment,
- Ihor Myroniuk — held with bail set at 126 million hryvnias,
- Dmytro Basov — held with bail set at 40 million hryvnias,
- Lesia Ustymenko — placed in pre-trial detention,
- Ihor Fursenko — placed under preventive measures,
- Liudmyla Zorina — held with bail set at 12 million hryvnias.
In addition, Ukrainian authorities imposed sanctions on Mindich and Zukerman.
On December 1, a court ordered Mindich’s detention in absentia, opening the door for international search procedures, including potential Interpol involvement.
In February 2026, former Energy Minister Halushchenko was detained while attempting to leave the country and later placed in custody with bail set at 200 million hryvnias.
The extradition request to Israel marks a significant step in Ukraine’s attempt to demonstrate accountability in high-level corruption cases—an issue closely watched by international partners, including the United States and the European Union, as Ukraine continues its reform efforts amid wartime conditions.
Follow the Mindich Case investigation timeline
Tags: Anti-Corruption corruption energy sector extradition global politics israel mindich case nabu Ukraine Zelensky
