Opinion

Timur Mindich, once a shadowy but influential figure, emerges at the center of a sweeping corruption scheme that spans government agencies, seized assets, and high-ranking officials. Ukrainska Pravda’s year-long investigation uncovers covert meetings, operational license plates, secret offices, and a network involving ARMA, Sensbank, and top ministers allegedly tied to Mindich’s financial curator, Oleksandr Zukerman.

Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak moves to replace Budanov and Malyuk, aiming to tighten his personal power vertical and seize full control over Ukraine’s security services.

NABU searches at Energy Minister Halushchenko’s property revealed something extraordinary: he and Hrynchuk spent the night in a mansion in Tsarske Selo, Kyiv, just before the investigation. This was no ordinary house — it belonged to fugitive Yanukovych-era minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko and has been under ARMA seizure since 2021, officially prohibiting use.

The NABU “Midas” operation revealed political corruption in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. Businessman Timur Mindich allegedly pressured officials to favor dubious companies, “Fortress of Defence” and Milicon, bypassing licensed Ukrainian manufacturers.

Mindich fled amid NABU Energoatom investigations. Zelenskyy’s circle implicated. Government must act within 24 hours: return Mindich, dismiss officials, and secure national energy system.

FirePoint, a major drone manufacturer, is linked to Timur Mindich and Andriy Yermak, with Ihor Khmelyov involved, raising questions about connections and business influence.

NABU and SAPO raided Timur Mindich’s Kyiv apartments, uncovering surveillance devices and links to corruption. Close presidential ties shielded Chernyshov, while embezzlement schemes and offshore funds continue.

NABU found millions in U.S. dollars at Mindich’s office, likely delivered via Ukrainian state-owned Sens Bank, controlled by Mindich allies and overseen by Vasyl Veselyi.

Wiretaps from NABU and SAPO reveal Timur Mindich, aka “Carlson,” discussing the freezing of a massive Kozyn construction project funded with hundreds of thousands from an Energoatom kickback scheme. The recordings link former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, nicknamed “Che Guevara,” to the luxury mansions, showing close ties between Mindich, Chernyshov, and the President’s Office.

On November 10, NABU searched the home of businessman and presidential ally Tymur Mindich, who had already left Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda’s reporters documented secret meetings between SAPO’s first deputy, Andriy Synyuk, and a lawyer connected to Mindich, raising questions about possible leaks of sensitive criminal cases.

Arresting the old boss failed; the Dnipro clan adapted, using financial schemes, media influence, and charities, while Zelenskyy emerged as the top figure in state capture.

A massive NABU investigation has exposed a deep-rooted corruption scheme inside Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom. Codenamed Operation “Midas”, the probe reveals how powerful insiders ran kickback schemes, laundered millions through global channels, and manipulated wartime contracts for profit.